Champions League round of 16: EHC Red Bull Munich defeats Geneva in first leg

Wednesday, 15. November 2023 | Champions League round of 16: EHC Red Bull Munich defeats Geneva in first leg

Home win against Geneva: Red Bulls advance in CHL round of 16RBM - GEN 3:2 | Söderholm: "Were very determined"// CHL - MATCH REPORTRed Bull Munich got off to a successful start in the round of 16 of the Champions Hockey League. The German champions won the first leg against Swiss champions Genève-Servette HC 3:2 (2:0|0:0|1:2).

In front of 3,027 spectators at the Olympic Ice Stadium, Nico Krämmer, Chris DeSousa and Ben Smith scored for coach Toni Söderholm's team. The decision on the quarter-finals will be made next Wednesday (November 22 | 19:45) in Geneva.

Highlights: Red Bull München vs. Genève-Servette HC (15.11.2023)

// CHL - HIGHLIGHTS

Course of the game

The pace was high right from the start and the Red Bulls got off to a dream start. Nico Krämmer took advantage of Munich's third top chance to take the lead (5'). Just 32 seconds later, the German champions were celebrating again: DeSousa increased the lead to 2:0 after an impressive assist from Maximilian Kastner to complete the double. The next goal was also only in the direction of Robert Mayer's goal. The visitors' goalkeeper prevented them from going further behind on several occasions. The score remained 2:0 after the first period.

Genève-Servette stepped up their game after the break. The duel was now more open, but the Red Bulls still had a clear advantage in chances. Austin Ortega (23') and Markus Eisenschmid (29') appeared free in front of Mayer, but the third Munich goal was not scored. At the other end, Sakari Manninen had a great chance to open the scoring (40'), but Mathias Niederberger made a brilliant save to preserve the two-goal lead. The Swiss increased the pressure in the final period and Niederberger was now called upon more often.

The German international goalkeeper kept a clean sheet until the 48th minute. The visitors then reduced the deficit through Manninen. An equalizer was even possible after that before Smith stopped the visitors' comeback with the 3:1 (53'). Both teams now had opportunities. Geneva's Daniel Winnik capitalized on one of them and created some suspense once again (59'), but in the end the Red Bulls held on for a 3:2 win.

1/10

2/10

3/10

4/10

5/10

6/10

7/10

8/10

9/10

10/10

The first leg of the round of 16 in the premier class in pictures

Toni Söderholm: "We started very well and were very determined. We also created a lot of chances in the second period. Of course we're not happy about the goals we conceded, but on the whole it was a good performance. We have to stick to our game in the second leg and not let up." Goals: 1:0 | 04:58 | Nico Krämmer 2:0 | 05:30 | Chris DeSousa 2:1 | 47:54 | Sakari Manninen 3:1 | 52:20 | Ben Smith 3:2 | 58:09 | Daniel Winnik Spectators: 3.027