UEFA Champions League 2018-19: 5 talking points from Matchday 1 (Groups E-H)

5. Bayern Munich start their campaign with a 2-0 win over Benfica

SL Benfica v FC Bayern Muenchen - Lewandowski scored the opener

Bayern Munich travelled to Portugal to face a strong Benfica side on the first Matchday of the UEFA Champions League 2018-19 clash. Bayern Munich, under new coach Nico Kovac, have already started their Bundesliga on a strong note, defeating the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and Eintract Frankfurt, but in the process, they have lost out key players to long-term injuries.

Kingsley Coman, Corentin Tolisso and Rafinha were all missing in action and it will be some time before these players will be back in option. Without these options in hand, Kovac started with the old guns Ribery and Robben in the wing and Lewandowski up front in a 4-3-3. Renato Sanches, a former Benfica man himself, was given a chance to prove himself in a high-profile match alongside the experienced Javi Martinez and James Rodriguez.

Benfica, started with a 4-3-3 as well, with Seferovic, Salvio and Cervi leading the attack. Early on into the game, a David Alaba cross saw Robert Lewandowksi score from close range to give Bayern Munich the lead. The highlight of the goal, however, was Sanches who delivered the ball to Alaba in the first place.

Bayern had two clear opportunities later on in the first half through Arjen Robben but could not take advantage. The first half ended in favour of Bayern with a 1-0 lead. Benfica's lack of scoring in Champions League games continued in this match as well as they could not get the equalizer.

Renato Sanches created a brilliant move and scored from a James Rodriguez assist in the 54th minute to double Bayern's lead. Though Bayern Munich have a seemingly thin squad right now, they overcame a formidable opponent in Benfica as the match ended 2-0 in Bayern's favor.

Kovac, in spite of this win, has to think about how to rotate his players and keep them fit for both the Bundesliga and the Champions League matches, while Benfica will look to get back to winning ways in the Champions League when they face Ajax and AEK Athens in the upcoming rounds.