It is not brilliant nor is it at its best, but it is Bayern. Solid, superb, mechanical and with hardly any cracks, few surpass him in determination. The ghost of the blank season will have to hide again and wait a couple of weeks to try to scare the Bavarian giant. Those from Munich, after a very close tie against Arsenal, narrowly qualified for the Champions League semi-finals for the tenth time in the 21st century.

The maturity and solidity of Arsenal tested the state of nerves of Bayern, which has just lost the Bundesliga, a title that it has taken for granted for 11 years. It is no coincidence that the Gunners are fighting head-to-head for the Premier League with 6 games left. It is no longer the team that beat London 5-1 in its last two visits to the Allianz Arena. It made the locals sweat a lot, who had to work hard to get the goal and the victory they needed after the 2-2 draw in the first leg.

Harry Kane still has time to remove that jinx and title-repellent label that accompanies him, although in the return it was not decisive. Bayern’s big signing only appeared once. His was the first shot of the game, a volley in the 4th minute that didn’t find the target. The rest of the match was caged by Saliba and Gabriel, who did not allow even a meter.

It was not the Englishman nor were it Musiala or Sané, the other stars, who sealed the ticket. The great containment work of Rice and Jorginho in the pivot did not allow Bayern to run.

Neither did Goretzka or Guerreiro, frustrated by the woodwork as soon as the second half began. The goal was found by Kimmich, whom no one expected, a touch footballer who Barça wanted to be the organized one but whom Tuchel places at right back. He stormed into the area to head in Guerreiro’s cross from the left just after the hour mark (64).

Earlier, in the first half, Neuer had to excel at a shot from Odegaard, which deflected a defender and forced the 38-year-old goalkeeper to use his best reflexes. The old guard has not said the last word. The Champions League is his lifeboat.

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Kimmich, De Ligt, Dier, Mazraoui (Kim 76), Sané (Upamecano 89), Laimer, Goretzka, Guerreiro, Musiala and Kane.

Coach: Thomas Tuchel

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu (Nketiah 86), Odegaard, Jorginho (Gabriel Jesus 67), Rice, Saka, Havertz y Martinelli (Trossard 68)

Coach: Mikel Arteta

Stadium: Allianz Arena (75,000 spectators)

Referee: D. Makkelie (Netherlands)

Cards: Yellow for Laimer, White, Kimmich and Gabriel Jesus.

Goals: Kimmich (64)