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Reigning UEFA Champions League champions Bayern Munich got their title defence off to a flying start with a comfortable 4-0 win over Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
Hansi Flick's men have come to be known as the most ruthless side in Europe and did not harm that reputation with another memorable bashing. Atletico Madrid appeared to be in the game for not longer than the first half an hour as once Kingsley Coman opened the scoring on 28 minutes; the floodgates had opened.
The Frenchman broke the deadlock, and Bayern Munich needed no further invitation to put the game to bed with a series of stunning strikes that followed. Coman set up Leon Goretzka for Bayern's second after just over ten minutes since his goal.
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The second half saw more of the same as Bayern Munich were relentless in their approach, and they scored two more fantastic goals to seal the tie. Corentin Tolisso unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box to triple their score and Coman, once again, ran through the Atletico defence like they were training cones and beat Jan Oblak with a cool finish.
Bayern Munich have firmly established themselves as the favourites to retain their European crown with this resounding victory. Here, we take a look at the major talking points form the game.
#5 Strength in depth reiterates Bayern's credentials
One of the most apparent strengths that Hansi Flick's men boast of is their ruthless nature on the pitch. From their inspirational leader, Manuel Neuer, defending their goal to Robert Lewandowski, the best striker in the world, they are blessed with an incredible amount of quality all over. What's even scarier, though, is the depth that they have.
The Bayern Munich side that dismantled Atletico Madrid by a scoreline of 4-0 featured the likes of Lewandowski, Joshua Kimmich, Neuer, and other established superstars on the pitch. This is made to look even more impressive considering the list of players who didn't start the game or weren't available to partake in the fixture.
They had the luxury to call upon the likes of Douglas Costa and one of the critical members of their treble-winning side, Alphonso Davies, from the bench to close out the game. Elsewhere, the fact that they managed this incredible scoreline without two superstar attackers in Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry, who were both unavailable due to injury and a positive COVID result respectively, is simply devastating.
Bayern Munich have not only assembled the best first XI on the continent but also, arguably, the best roster of players in the world. It's no surprise that they're favourites to become only the second side after Real Madrid to retain their UCL crown.
#4 A night to forget for Luis Suarez and Atletico's toothless attack
It's not the most straightforward task in the world to go to the home of the reigning European champions and trouble their living legend of a goalkeeper, Neuer, too much. That being said, Atletico failed to leave as much of scratch on the Bavarians' goal, let alone actually breach it.
Much of it had to to with the talismanic Luis Suarez, who had a forgettable night at the Allianz Arena.
The Uruguayan, who was infamously ousted from the Nou Camp in the summer, got off to a flying start to life as a Rojiblanco with a stunning two-goal cameo on his LaLiga Santander debut. However, on his UCL debut, he was marshalled expertly by Bayern's defence, and he could provide nearly nothing to Atletico's struggling frontline. In total, El Pistolero managed just one shot in 76 minutes against Bayern, which was a wayward, harmless attempt in the first half.
Joao Felix appeared to be the club's only hope going forward after lighting up the pitch in his last UCL game, which was a cameo against RB Leipzig to bring his side back into the quarter-final. However, much like Suarez, he was anonymous on the night, with the exception of an impressive run or two. While the Portuguese has time on his side, his South American strike partner is on the other end of the spectrum.
Suarez is far from the man who can help Atletico in their crunch UCL encounters, and his dismal record in the competition away from home speaks for itself.
Also read: 10 Most expensive footballers from famous footballing nations
#3 Is Joshua Kimmich the best central midfielder in the world?
What an absolutely glorious player Joshua Kimmich is.
Despite his obvious talent, this claim would have been, perhaps, a tad too ambitious a year ago. On current form though, there can be a compelling argument made for the German international to be crowned as the best central midfielder in Europe.
The 25-year-old was at the heart of Bayern Munich's 2019/20 campaign and featured in a staggering 51 matches for the treble winners, playing just over 4,300 minutes across all competitions. He hasn't put a foot wrong — be it in midfield or as a right-back — and has been an infallible figure for Hansi Flick's men.
Tonight was no different as the German was the orchestrator for another stunning win to add to Bayern Munich's growing collection. Kimmich completed more passes (78) and touches (99) than anyone bar Lucas Hernandez, and made more crosses (six) and long balls (seven out of seven) than any player on the pitch. But the crowning moment of his game came just before the half-hour mark.
Kimmich picked up the ball in front of the Atletico box and bypassed their famed defensive unit to find Coman with a simply sublime ball, who in turn converted to give his side the lead. This combination has proved lethal in the past as it was the former Leipzig man who delivered the all-important assist in the UCL final as well. In all senses of the word, his energy and determination is the true embodiment of this unstoppable Bavarian juggernaut.
Bayern Munich have made some extremely impressive signings in their history, but Kimmich's purchase for £7.6m has to rank as one of their best since the turn of the century, if not beyond.
#2 Another big UCL game, another disappointing result: Time for a change at Atletico?
Atletico Madrid's rise to the upper echelons of European football over the last decade or so has been nothing short of remarkable.
Diego Simeone has guided Los Rojiblancos to two UEFA Champions League finals and past a catalogue of stunning opponents, such as Barcelona, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, and several others. However, they did so carrying the tag of the stubborn, inspiring underdogs, which they no longer are.
The former LaLiga Santander champions have invested a staggering amount of money into their squad, including a club-record fee of €126m for star man Joao Felix. In truth, Atletico Madrid boast a great deal of quality, credentials, and resources to compete with some of the best sides in Europe. Yet, manager Diego Simeone opts for his dogged style 'underdog' brand of football, attempting to soak up the pressure and hit teams on the counter. There's no Plan B, no innovation, and most importantly, no evolution.
Simply put, Atletico could very well choose to play an expansive, attacking style of football to grab fixtures by the scruff of the neck and establish their dominance with the players available to their disposal. Regardless of whether or not Simeone is capable of doing so, it's becoming ever so clear that a change of philosophy is needed. If it wasn't evident after losing to knockout debutants RB Leipzig last year, it has become all the more apparent after an embarrassing 4-0 thrashing tonight.
They were once fabled for their defensive rigidity and as a unit that can shut out even the most feared attacks in the world, but they were ripped to shreds by the champions.
#1 King-sley Coman at it once again
The 2019/20 UCL final, played just under two months ago, was expected to be a goal-fest with two fo the most in-form teams in the world competing for glory. However, in a fascinating tactical battle, it was Kingsley Coman who rose highest to give his side the all-important winner off the bench.
At the Allianz Arena, the French winger was absolutely merciless against Atletico Madrid. The 24-year-old put the two-time UCL finalists to the sword and terrorised Diego Simeone's rugged outfit. Coman's first goal had more to do with one of the most exquisite passes on the night from Joshua Kimmich, who carved the defence open to find him. However, the touch from the Frenchman to set up the strike was superb.
The second goal, however, was nothing short of sensational. Coman undid Atletico's defence with a mazy solo run to beat Felipe and co., switched the ball from his right to his left and back again, before coolly slotting past a helpless Jan Oblak. He even ended the night with a creative assist for Bayern's second when he cut the ball back to find Goretzka at the edge of the 18-yard-box.
Coman has faced a host of unfortunate injuries throughout his career at Bayern and elsewhere, but today was a rather incredible reminder to the world about his undeniable talent on the pitch. A devastatingly good display from the French star.
