Bayern Munich were unbeaten in 19 European home games heading into the game. Atletico Madrid meanwhile had won every group stage game so far.
Something had to give at the Allianz Arena, and it was Bayern who kept their impressive run intact. Robert Lewandowski’s stunning free-kick was enough to give Carlo Ancelotti’s men their third win on the bounce and helped Bayern finish the group stage in good health.
For Simeone and his Atletico Madrid, this was their first loss since the Madrid derby.
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Here are some points of contention from the game.
#1 Much-changed lineups
Both coaches decided to ring the changes, given that the standings in the group were already decided. Atletico decided to go in with only Diego Godin from the regular back four whereas Bayern left out the likes of Thomas Muller, Philipp Lahm and Franck Ribery. The move was understandable given that at this stage of the season, the Champions League was the least of either side’s priority, given that both of them had already qualified. Also, there were no positions up for grabs for either side as any incentive.
For Atletico, there is a tough fixture away against Villareal coming up on Sunday night, and it would not have made sense to play the likes of Juanfran, Tiago and Filipe Luis in such an inconsequential game.
For Bayern, it was a chance for some of their recovering place to stake their first team claims. Arjen Robben, Arturo Vidal and David Alaba had all only recently returned from reasonable layoffs, and it made sense for Carlo Ancelotti to leave them on the pitch for as long as he could – the latter two played the full 90 minutes and Robben was subbed off in the 80th minute.
In all, both managers would ideally not have any regrets with the teams that they put out. Atletico’s performance left a little to be desired but that was more down to Bayern’s excellence than Atletico’s mediocrity on the day.
#2 Early Atletico chances
Yannick Carrasco was the guilty party as the Rojiblancos had two gilt-edged opportunities to take the lead before Lewandowski eventually scored for Bayern. The first time, he was brilliantly put through on goal by Antoine Griezmann and he sped past Mats Hummels.
However, when the pivotal moment came, he hit his left-footed shot straight at Neuer. A lot more composure in those precise moments is expected from a player of the calibre of Carrasco. However, the Belgian failed to deliver.
The second opportunity was probably even easier. Lucas Hernandez, the 20-year old left-back had done stunningly to weave his way out of a tussle with Rafinha and put in an ideal cross for the Belgian. But Carrasco’s finishing touch was lacking once again. With his left foot, he guided the ball towards goal, but there was no real pace or conviction in the effort, meaning that Neuer had an easy save to make.
Had any of those two chances gone in, the atmosphere at the Allianz Arena could have become a little bit jittery, and the Bayern players themselves could have begun to crumble. But fortunately for Bayern and unfortunately for Atletico, the clinical ability of Carrasco was not to be seen.
#3 Red-hot Robert Lewandowski
With a stunning free-kick in the 28th minute, Lewandowski made it 24 goals in his last 24 games for club and country. Where would Bayern be this season without their Polish talisman and his goals?
It is not just his goalscoring ability that makes Lewandowski the threat that he is. He is strong, very good in the air, competent with the ball at his feet and is deceptively quick. Every aspect that you need in a striker, Lewandowski has.
This was his second sublime free-kick in as many games, having scored with a similar effort against Mainz last Friday in the Bundesliga. This is a testament to his excellent technique as well. On the night, Lewandowski gave both Diego Godin and Stefan Savic plenty of questions to answer.
On most occasions, the Atletico rearguard stood up and responded to the questions, but on the once occasion when it eventually mattered for the result, Lewandowski gave Jan Oblak absolutely no chance.
Along with Arjen Robben and Douglas Costa, Lewandowski was a constant threat all game. A threat that eventually brought Bayern their goal, the winning goal on the night.
#4 Bayern strong on the left
Bayern’s left side was to be manned by Douglas Costa and Juan Bernat, and they did a sterling job ensuring that the Atletico players on the flank were always penned back and did not trouble them with any attacking ability.
They reduced Nico Gaitan's impact to so little that the mercurial Argentine had only three touches of the ball in the entire first half.
It also helped Bayern that Atletico’s regular right-back Juanfran was rested from the game. The Croatian, Sime Vrsaljko stepped in the veteran Spaniard’s place. However, he could not fill the rather large boots of his.
Bayern though were not complaining as it allowed to them to make merry. It was not just Costa and Bernat, whenever the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Renato Sanches made a forward move, it was down the left-hand side. There was wave after wave of attacks down that flank and Bayern were only taking advantage of the uncertainty exuded by one of the fringe players.
#5 Anonymous Antoine
Antoine Griezmann started the game brightly, but after the first twenty minutes, he was hardly visible on the pitch. A large part of that was down to the fact that Bayern kept the ball and passed it around so well that Atletico just could not get a feel of possession.
Even when they did, Bayern players swarmed around them, and the hurried passes were only going out of play.
But could the star Frenchman have done a little more? The four midfielders – Gabi, Saul, Koke and Gaitan – were trying their best and despite that, were not able to get near Bayern, as they were reduced to chasing shadows. In that scenario, either Griezmann or Carrasco should have dropped a little bit deeper and added numbers and steel to the Atletico midfield.
In the end, all that Griezmann and Carrasco were doing was chasing long aimless balls against the strength and aerial abilities of Hummels and Alaba.
But in truth, a little bit was his own doing, but how good Bayern were was a huge factor in his level of performance on the night.
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