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The clash between German giants Bayern Munich and Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade took place at the Allianz Arena in Munich last evening. To say the least, the game went as expected for the Bavarians as they clinched a 3-0 win against their weaker opponents.
Bayern did not necessarily exceed expectations. This was a match against a team that isn't expected to even get past the group stages; even drawing the game was out of the discussion. Bayern fans flocked the arena and were hoping for a very solid win. That's exactly what they got.
The match started with Bayern immediately taking the upper hand in possession of the ball and consistency of attack. Some credit will have to go to the Red Star defence for holding the Bavarians off until Kingsley Coman's diving header that opened the scoring in the 34th minute.
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Ivan Perisic received the ball on the left flank and made progress towards the byline. Dribbling past his marker with a quick movement to free himself up, Perisic sent an inch-perfect cross to the far post where Coman was waiting to deliver for the Bavarians. It was a great diving header, one the 23-year-old will certainly be proud of.
Crveno Beli's defensive stance went up a notch. While there were moments when Bayern could have put another goal in - like a couple of crossbar moments - nothing seemed to enter for the German hosts until late in the game when a defensive howler paved the way for a Robert Lewandowski goal.
Lewandowski received the ball just outside the 18-yard-box and located Serge Gnabry on the right, but the ball was intercepted quickly. However, that interception led the ball into the 6-yard box where a defensive mixup between the onrushing keeper and his defender gave Lewandowski a poacher's opportunity to slide the ball into the left bottom corner of the net.
The final goal came in injury time from what looked like a well-practised set-piece. Thiago Alcantara lined up with teammates to take the freekick, only to deftly chip it ahead of a running but onside Thomas Muller. The Red Star defence was barely able to think of a reaction before Muller's effort went under the keeper's legs and into the corner of the post.
With this 3-0 win, Bayern Munich remain unbeaten in 16 Champions League group stage games on home soil.
We take a look at five talking points from this Group B match:
#5 Red Star Belgrade are not going to spring any surprises
While they may be Serbian giants, Red Star Belgrade haven't really delivered on the European stage. Undoubtedly, they fought well in the playoffs and certainly deserve their place in the Champions League group stage, but that is almost certainly where it ends for them.
In the last decade, they have struggled to even get past playoffs for Europa League, and their Champions League efforts have consistently been thwarted at the group stage. Notably, the only year they managed to get into the knockout rounds of a European competition throughout this decade was the 2017-18 season when they made the Round of 32 in the Europa League.
While Red Star did beat Liverpool last season in the Champions League, it can be safely tagged as a one-off surprise. This match showed the visitors just how well behind their opponents in Group B they are.
Also check out:Champions League Schedule La Liga Table Premier League Table
#4 Bayern need to be more clinical
They may have won the game by a solid margin, and they certainly never looked like losing at any point, but the Bavarians did not do so well in front of goal. Scoring three goals in a game sounds great. Scoring three goals from 33 shots isn't the greatest conversion rate though.
Arguably, they hit the bar twice during the match, but howlers like Robert Lewandowski's shot that travelled over the bar were a consistent part of the game. Corentin Tolisso had four shots, but only one on target. Philippe Coutinho had six shots but only one on target. Ivan Perisic had five shots with two on target. Lewandowski had the highest number of shots on target (5) but he had to take nine shots.
These inaccuracies will not take Bayern very far, if and when they enter the knockout stages. The Bavarians need to put more focus on being clinical and efficient in the final third.
#3 Red Star Belgrade were lacking in the final third
The Serbian team had only seven shots at Bayern's goal, compared to the Bavarians' 33. In fact, Bayern Munich had more shots on target than Red Star Belgrade had shots in total. However, it is quite notable that Red Star did not cause experienced Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer any trouble. They had zero shots on target, which is quite appalling for a Champions League side.
Three of those shots came from their wingbacks, with Marko Marin offering another two. The striker Milan Pavkov did not take a single shot, give a single important pass, or make a single dribble throughout the time he was on the pitch.
If Red Star Belgrade don't want to end the group placed 4th, they will need to sit up, especially in the final third, and perhaps cause an upset or two in the coming fixtures.
#2 Thiago Alcantara was the cog in Bayern's midfield
The 28-year-old midfielder had a great outing, starting attacks from the back, and even setting up a goal in the dying minutes of the game.
Thiago Alcantara made seven tackles, nearly half of his team's total of 16. He efficiently recycled possession, controlling the midfield from deep, and finding loopholes in Red Star's defensive line. He made two key passes and even managed a shot at goal during the game.
Thiago was the cog in Bayern's midfield today, and he will be very crucial to the Bavarians' away game against Tottenham in the coming weeks.
#1 Bayern Munich showcase their creative prowess
Ivan Perisic's smooth cross to Kingsley Coman that led to the first goal was one of many key passes during this game. Bayern made a total of 17 key passes, with the attacking midfield trio of Perisic, Coutinho, and Coman responsible for ten. Joshua Kimmich, marauding down the right wing throughout the game made five key passes.
While Bayern were arguably playing against a weaker team in Red Star Belgrade, their attacking fluidity and creativity remained top-notch, and their passing success rate of 89% is a clear testament of it.
Bayern fans travelling to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for their next continental game will hope that Bayern can showcase the same effortless creativity and understanding that the Bavarians put on display against Red Star Belgrade.
