Bayern Munich Demolish Arsenal Once Again In Round of 16
Bayern Munich took a big step in qualifying for quarter final stage of Champions League after a 5-1 hammering of Arsenal at Allianz Arena.
The German champions are in a commanding position going into second leg which will be played in a fortnight. Bayern Munich stretched their unbeaten run at home in Champions League to 16 wins. Thiago ALcantara grabbed a brace while Robert Lewandowski,Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben helped Carlo Ancelotti’s men to cruise past Arsenal.
The Italian made a couple of changes in the starting eleven from their 2-0 winn over Ingosladt on Saturday. David Alaba, Mats Hummels, Javi Martinez and Philipp Lahm continue to remain Ancelotti’s first choice back four.
Xabi Alonso formed the midfield trio with Arturo Vidal and Thiago Alcantara. Arjen Robben and Douglas Costa replaced Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Muller in the starting lineup. The frontline was led by Robert Lewandowski.
Next: Mats Hummels Understands Lahm's Decision
Bayern started in the best possible way as they dominated the possession and looked threathening in the final third. The home side took a deserving early lead when Robben scored a vintage goal. After some tidy work on the right flank, Robben curled the ball into the top corner with his left foot.
The German giants were all over Arsenal as they kept on creating chances in the game. However against the run of play, Arsenal won a penalty after Lewandowski’s attempt to make a clearance in the box lead to a tackle on Laurent Koscielny. The visitors failed to convert from the penalty as Manuel Neuer pulled off an amazing save, but Alexis Sanchez was able to put the ball into the net in the second rebound.
Arsenal looked threathening on the break as they were trying to exploit the slow centrebacks of Bayern. However Bayern got decent chances to get back into game as Hummels and Lewandowski failed from close range. The half ended with both teams getting decent opportunities to get an advantage in the game.
Ancelotti’s men resumed the play with purpose as they kept Arsenal at backfoot at the start of the second half. They got the reward for their purposeful play as Lewandowski found the back of the net with a powerful header after a brilliant cross from Lahm. The Germans got past the Arsenal defence again after three minutes to double their lead. Lewandowski set up this goal after a delicate flick which was finished tidely by Thiago.
Bayern were all over the visitors as they kept on testing David Ospina. The home side were denied a penalty after Kieran Gibbs handled the ball in the box. However Bayern scored from the following corner as Thiago grabbed his second with a deflected attempt from outside the box. Bayern looked lively in the final third as Vidal and Costa forced Ospina to make tremendous saves.
Robben hit the cross bar after a close range effort to double his tally for the game. The German side finally got their fifth goal as Thomas Muller scored after coming off from the bench. Bayern won the ball upfront and then Thiago squared the ball for Muller who finished it in the bottom corner.
This was probably Bayern’s best performance under Ancelotti. The Italian will be pleased with his side’s ruthlessness considering the fact that they have been wasteful in front of the goal lately. Arsenal will need a miraculous effort in the second leg to overhaul this deficit.