On-fire Reds ease past outclassed Plzen

FC Bayern beat Viktoria Plzen 5-0 on Tuesday, achieving a very promising position to reach the Champions League knockout stages. Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry and Sadio Mané handed Bayern a three-goal lead early in the first half, with Sané rounding off his brace and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting adding his name to the scoresheet before the hour mark. The victory means Bayern have gone unbeaten in 31 straight group stage matches, a new record in Europe's elite club competition.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Noussair Mazraoui, Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Leon Goretzka and Ryan Gravenberch featured in midfield behind Sané, Jamal Musiala and Mané, with Gnabry up front. Josip Stanišić and Choupo-Moting took over from Davies and Musiala at half-time, with Mathys Tel, Benjamin Pavard and Marcel Sabitzer coming on for Sané, Upamecano and Goretzka in the second half.

Early lead

The 75,000 full house at the Allianz Arena saw Bayern roar off the blocks and take an early lead through Sané, who found the top corner of the net after a one-two with Musiala. Adam Vlkanova tested Neuer but Goretzka soon teed up Gnabry, who found himself in acres of space and made no mistake from 16 yards.

Gnabry saw a free-kick saved before Mané sidestepped a number of defenders and unleashed a powerful low drive into the net. Keeper Marian Tvrdon denied Musiala, and Bayern had the ball in the net for a fourth time when Musiala drilled home, but the goal was chalked off for offside after VAR intervention. Mané fired over and Viktoria's Tomas Chory miscued a header, and Munich were three up at half-time.

Leroy shines

The German record champions picked up where they left off, and Mané soon found Sané, who shone with a fine first touch before beating Tvrdon. Goretzka invited the unmarked Choupo-Moting to add a fifth via the inside of the post before the hour mark.

Bayern engaged cruise control now but they were always closer to a sixth than the visitors to a consolation goal. Gnabry fired wide before Bassey miscued a shot at the other end, and match official Nikola Dabanovic blew for full-time.

Bayern will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to face Dortmund in Der Klassiker. Munich and Plzen meet again on 12 October.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen