Bayern Munich got the defence of their UEFA Champions League crown off to best start with a 4-0 thumping of Atletico Madrid at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening.
Kingsley Coman opened the scoring as he cushioned Joshua Kimmich’s wonderful pass and finished coolly underneath Jan Oblak. The Frenchman then went from scorer to provider by teeing up Leon Goretzka for a smashing finish before half-time.
The visitors thought they had pulled one back through Joao Felix moments after the break but the Portuguese’s strike was ruled out by an offside flag. Tolisso all-but polished proceedings off once and for all with an absolutely stunning drive into the top corner before Coman got another with over a quarter of an hour remaining.
Here are three things we learned from the game:
Coman the inspiration again
After netting the winning goal in the Champions League final against Paris Saint Germain last season, winger Coman picked up exactly where he left off with another sparkling performance.
The Frenchman put in an exhilarating showing against Atleti, proving to be a constant threat down the left-hand side and always looked likely to either score or create. He did just that as well, with his first goal being a composed finish into the bottom corner only yards from goal, before his speedy and skillful run gave him just enough space to pull the ball back for the onrushing Goretzka to smash home to double the advantage.
The 24-year-old was not done there though as he turned up on the right in the second-half, raced away from the Atletico defence, cut inside and slotted home to double his night’s work. With Serge Gnabry set to be ruled out for some time having tested positive for COVID-19, Coman should make his absence a little less severe if he keeps up these type of performances.
The Bayern goal machine rolls on
Having plundered 25 goals in all competitions already prior to this match in Bavaria, Coman and his considerably talented teammates were always going to be a threat. They were coming up against one of the most stubborn defences in all of European football though in the form of Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone’s men predictably had only conceded one goal all season thus far, that coming in the 6-1 thumping of Granada on the opening day of La Liga season. This game though became the first time that the Spaniards had conceded two goals without reply in the first-half of a UEFA Champions League match since a 3-0 defeat to FC Porto in 2009 – highlighting the sheer talent and unabating hunger for goals currently at the Allianz Arena. Following the thumping victory, Bayern are currently favourites to win the Champions League once again at odds of 7/2 with Betfair. If the Bavarians are able to dismantle a top team like Atletico Madrid then those odds seem very generous.
Midfield key for the victory
Whilst it was most certainly an off-night for Atleti’s defence, the real reason that they lost this game was their midfield. A trio of Hector Herrera, Marcos Llorente and Koke went up against Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Corentin Tolisso.
It was the home side’s triumvirate that most certainly came out on top. They were almost allowed to waltz through the centre of the park at will and pick out wonderful passes, as evidenced in Kimmich’s wonderful ball to Coman for the opener.
The sheer fact that between them they managed to notch two goals and an assist from the middle highlight just how much stronger and more creative they were than their opposite numbers.
Match Report
Bayern Munich: Neuer (7); Hernandez (8), Alaba (7), Sule (7), Pavard (7) (Sarr (6), 73′); Goretzka (8) (Martinez (N/A), 83′), Kimmich (7); Coman (9) (Costa (6), 73′), Tolisso (8), Muller (7) (Davies (N/A), 83′); Lewandowski (6) (Choupo-Moting (N/A), 83′).
Atletico Madrid: Oblak (6); Lodi (5), Felipe (5), Savic (5), Trippier (5); Llorente (4) (Torreira (N/A), 79′), Koke (4) (Lemar (N/A), 79′), Herrera (5); Felix (4), Suarez (4) (Vitolo N/A), 76′), Carrasco (4) (Correa (N/A), 76′).
Goals: Coman (28′, 72′), Goretzka (41′), Tolisso (66′)
Referee: Michael Oliver
Yellow Cards: Alaba (5′), Muller (21′), Lodi (43′), Koke (44′), Herrera (45+1′)
Red Cards: N/A
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