FCB through to last 16

FC Bayern beat Olympiacos 2-0 on Wednesday evening, booking a berth in the Champions League knockout stages. The Bavarians struggled against the visitors' dogged defending for a long time, but Robert Lewandowski broke the deadlock midway through the second half, sub Ivan Perišić putting the game to bed in the closing stages.

The German record champions started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Javi Martínez, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich anchored a midfield featuring Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, Thomas Müller and Kingsley Coman, with Lewandowski as lone striker. Corentin Tolisso, Perišić and Philippe Coutinho took over from Goretzka, Gnabry and Coman in the closing stages.

Dour first half

The 75,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena saw Bayern utterly dominate proceedings, but they offered little invention up front against the deep-lying visitors. Goretzka drew a save from Olympiacos netminder José Sá before blasting over the bar five minutes later. Gnabry fired straight at Sá before Lazar Randjelovic saw an effort go wide at the other end.

Bayern upped the pace after the half-hour, Coman shining with a mazy dribble into the box, but Sá proved equal to his finish. Sá denied Müller before a Pavard header hit the post, and the contest was goalless at half-time.

Lewy opens

Proceedings were similar after the restart, Coman seeing a deflected effort go wide. Sá saved a Goretzka header before a Müller cross only just evaded Lewandowski in the box. Gnabry saw an effort blocked, Sá saving from Coman as Bayern peppered the goal with shots. The home side's pressure was rewarded when Coman charged down the right, his low cross inviting Lewandowski to poke home.

Bayern almost settled it when Gnabry set up Coman at the far post, but the ball evaded the Frenchman. Davies and Coman blasted over, but Perišić closed it out shortly after coming on, converting another strong Coman cross, and match official Paweł Raczkowski blew for full-time.

The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday, when they entertain Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen