Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer keeps Man United’s Champions League hopes alive with double save to deny Copenhagen

Manuel Neuer made a late double save to preserve Bayern Munich‘s record unbeaten run in the Champions League group stage with a 0-0 draw against Copenhagen on Wednesday.

Neuer denied Copenhagen forward Mohamed Elyounoussi, then followed with another save to thwart Elyounoussi again from the rebound  in the 87th minute and extend the German champions’ record unbeaten run to 39 straight group-stage matches in the competition.

‘We just have to accept it the way it was,’ Neuer said. 

‘They were very well positioned, defended well and were solid when they had possession.’

The 37-year-old recently returned to action last month following more than 10 months out after he broke his leg while skiing. 

Neuer denied Copenhagen forward Mohamed Elyounoussi from close range in 87th minute

The Bayern goalkeeper reacted quickly to thwart Elyounoussi again from the rebound

But Bayern’s record 17-game winning streak in the group stage was ended by a Copenhagen team that kept its hopes of reaching the last 16 alive.

‘We didn’t risk enough,’ Thomas Muller said.

The Bavarians have secured top spot in the group on 13 points, with the Danish side second on five.

‘It’s only a few people who know what it takes to come here and get a point,’ said Copenhagen’s man-of-the-match Rasmus Falk.

‘I’m so proud because it’s maybe one of the hardest places in the world to get a point.’

Both teams needed time to settle with Bayern missing several key players through injury.

Copenhagen had an early chance when Roony Bardghji’s 27th-minute shot sailed narrowly wide and Thomas Mueller’s close-range header for Bayern was saved by keeper Kamil Grabara.

The visitors, whose solid backline has been key to their success this season, defended well and came close again two minutes after the restart through Diogo Goncalves’ curled shot.

The Danes can qualify for the knockout stages by beating Galatasaray, who are also on five points after drawing 3-3 with bottom club Manchester United, and they almost snatched a last-gasp winner.