Bayern Munich delivers a thumping performance against Chelsea in the first leg at Stamford Bridge.
Bayern Munich take a healthy lead back to Allianz Arena as they put three past Chelsea in London. A brace from Serge Gnabry and goal from Robert Lewandowski has put Die Roten in a commanding position in the round of 16 tie of the Champions League
Hansi Flick went with the same team, which he has been lately using in the Bundesliga. Jerome Boateng and Benjamin Pavard returned to starting XI after being rested against Paderborn. Thomas Muller and Kingsley Coman formed the attacking front four with Lewandowski and Gnabry.
Frank Lampard stuck with the same starting XI that clinched a 2-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspurs on Saturday. Olivier Giroud led the line for the hosts as Tammy Abraham is still not completely fit to start games.
The visitors started the game on the front foot by pressing vigorously in midfield and final third. In his first sight of goal, Muller blazed a shot straight at Willy Caballero. Die Roten slowly eased into the game and started dictating the play. Meanwhile, Chelsea relied on direct approach by shooting long balls at Olivier Giroud in the hope that Ross Barkley and Mason Mount will capitalize on his flicks.
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Bayern came close to open the scoring in the 11th minute as Muller played a brilliant through-ball to Coman only for the French winger to miss the target by few inches. The German forward was slowly warming up with the pace of the game as he linked up the play effortlessly in the final third.
Lewandowski had the biggest chance of the half as Muller slid the ball through the center in his feet. However, Caballero rushed quickly to stop the shot. Die Roten kept on knocking the door as they hit the frame of the goal when Gnabry’s cross was headed by Muller in the 35th minute.
The hosts got their biggest chance a few minutes later as Marcos Alonso got the better of Pavard and launched a shot at goal. Neuer palmed the ball out of danger to keep the scores level. Die Roten had all the control in the first half but didn’t have goals to match it.
After missing a few chances in the first half, Bayern came back firing all cylinders in the second half. Gnabry opened the scoring in 51st minute after Lewandowski showed great awareness to square the ball. The combination of Gnabry and Lewandowski worked wonders again in three minutes as Gnabry slotted the ball in the far corner to double the lead.
Die Roten kept on the play ticking as Chelsea chased shadows in the midfield. The hosts kept on pressing for more goals and eventually got rewarded in the 75th minute. Alphonso Davies ran down the left flank and squared the ball for Lewandowski.
In the final ten minutes, Chelsea were reduced to ten men as Alonso was given marching orders for his challenge on Lewandowski. Leon Goretzka had the chance to make it four, but his effort was cleared off the line. Die Roten will be mighty pleased with this result, but Coman’s hamstring injury may dampen the celebrations a bit. Rekordmeister will now focus on the weekend’s clash against Hoffenheim.
"Chelsea (3-4-3)CaballeroAzpilicueta-Christensen-RüdigerJames-Jorginho-Kovacic- Alonso(R)Barkley- Giroud-MountSubstitutes- Arrizabalaga, Abraham(↑Giroud (61′)), Willian(↑Barkley (61′)), Pedro(↑Azpilicueta (73′), Zouma, Emerson, GilmourBayern Munich (4-2-3-1)NeuerPavard- Boateng- Alaba- DaviesKimmich- ThiagoComan- Müller- GnabryLewandowskiSubstitutes- Ulreich, Odriozola, Coutinho(↑Coman(66′)), Goretzka(↑Thiago(90′)), Hernández, Tolisso(↑Gnabry(85′)), Zirkzee"