Clinical Reds down battling Salzburg

FC Bayern beat Red Bull Salzburg 3-1 on Wednesday night, booking a berth in the Champions League last sixteen. Robert Lewandowski put Bayern ahead shortly before half-time, Maximilian Wöber deflecting a Kingsley Coman effort into his own net early in the second half. Bayern were reduced to ten men when Marc Roca was sent off, but sub Leroy Sané soon put the game to bed, and Mergim Berisha's consolation goal was little more than a footnote.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Chris Richards in a back four. Roca and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller and Coman, with Lewandowski up front. Lucas Hernández, Sané, Douglas Costa and Javi Martínez took over from Pavard, Gnabry, Coman and Richards in the second half.

Lewy opens

After a minute's silence for Diego Maradona, who had passed away earlier on Wednesday, both sides had half-chances at the beginning of an evenly-matched first half. Salzburg's Mohamed Camara warmed Neuer's gloves before Müller saw a shot blocked at the other end. Gnabry fired just wide, Neuer denying Berisha and saving Enock Mwepu's rebound.

Lewandowski miscued a header before Dominik Szoboszlai fired over the bar, Goretzka seeing an effort deflected wide, but Bayern took the lead when Müller drew a save from netminder Cican Stankovic, Lewandowski netting the rebound.

Roca sent off

Bayern twisted the knife early in the second half, Goretzka winning possession and setting up Coman, who found the net with the help of a deflection by Wöber. Szoboszlai fired wide before Bayern were reduced to ten men, Roca receiving his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

But Munich closed out the meeting when Sané headed home a Coman cross. The Austrians went looking for a reply, Neuer shining with a double save against Berisha and Mwepu, but he was unable to prevent Berisha from scoring from close distance. Sucic drew a save from Neuer, Stankovic denying Lewandowski before Sucic fired only just wide, but Bayern saw out the storm, sealing their 15th straight win in Europe's elite club competition. The German record champions are certain to finish Group A as winners after Atlético drew against Lokomotiv.

Bayern will be back in action in just three days, when they travel to face Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen