Internet Desk: FC Bayern Munich thrashed Arsenal by 5-1 in their Champions League round of 16 first leg encounter on Wednesday. Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Thiago Alcantara and Thomas Muller handed the German record champions a near-unassailable advantage in the first leg at Allianz Arena, extending Bayern’s record to a remarkable 16 straight victories on home soil in Europe’s elite club competition.
Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in between the sticks behind a back four featuring Philipp Lahm, Javi Martínez, Mats Hummels and David Alaba. Xabi Alonso and Arturo Vidal took up station in front of the rearguard and behind midfield sensation Thiago, with Robben and Douglas Costa out wide looking to serve orthodox centre-forward Lewandowski.
Seeking to add more width to his side’s game, Carlo Ancelotti made two changes to the XI that saw off Ingolstadt on Saturday, opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation, the same as Arsenal. Wingers Robben and Costa replaced Muller und Joshua Kimmich. In the closing stages Müller and Kimmich took over from Costa and Lewandowski, with Rafinha coming on for Robben with the final whistle imminent.
The 70,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena saw Ancelotti’s troops dominate proceedings from the off, and Vidal drew a fine save from visiting netminder David Ospina just seven minutes into the game. Bayern’s early pressure paid off when Robben received the ball on the right wing, cut inside in his trademark manner and unleashed a sumptuous curling 25-yarder into the top corner of the net.
Despite dominating their opponents for the first 20 minutes the Bavarians suffered a set-back on the half-hour, when match official Milorad Mazic awarded a debatable penalty. Neuer saved Alexis Sánchez’ spot-kick, but the Arsenal forward caught the Bayern rearguard napping, netting the rebound at the second attempt. The Reds went looking for a reply, but Lewandowski miscued a header from Vidal’s fine pass. Xhaka warmed Neuer’s gloves from 20 yards before Lewandowski saw another header sail over the bar and Hummels failed to connect with an Alonso cross. Özil drew a fine save from Neuer with the half-time whistle imminent.
After an entertaining first half it seemed Lady Luck might be smiling in the away side’s direction, but the Reds roared off the blocks after the break, and they made their dominance count early into the second half. Lewandowski was finally fed with a perfect cross, and this time his header found the net. Barely 200 seconds later Thiago slotted the ball past Ospina following Lewy’s cunning back-heel, and the German record champions had more salt to rub into Arsenal’s wounds when Thiago aced Ospina once more, this time with the help of a deflection.
The tiring visitors were caught out on the edge of their own box in the closing stages, Müller seizing possession, playing a one-two with the outsdtanding Thiago, sending three Arsenal defenders the wrong way and slotting home to seal the final scoreline – making Lewandowski’s effort off the bar and numerous fine Ospina saves against Martínez, Vidal and Robben mere footnotes to an ultimately commanding performance.
The Reds are back in action on Saturday, when they travel to face Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga. Their second encounter with Arsenal will be on 7 March, and the Reds will surely be buoyed by a convincing edge and Wednesday’s stunning second half against the Gunners.
In another match, Casemiro’s stunning volley crowned a superb display from Real Madrid, who fought back to beat Napoli 3-1 at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday.
The Brazilian midfielder thundered a spectacular effort into the net early in the second half to complete Real’s comeback, adding to efforts either side of halftime from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos.
Napoli, the top scorers in Serie A, grabbed an early goal when Lorenzo Insigne spotted Real keeper Keylor Navas out of position to curl the ball home from distance.
Holders Real, who are chasing a 12th European title, will travel to Naples for the return leg on March 7.