Bayern bide their time before striking late

Bayern knew they would need patience against AS Roma, but patience brought its reward in the shape of a 2-0 win and a successful start to the group stages of this season’s Champions League. “It was important to start our European campaign on a positive note,” said FCB chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, “it’ll settle things down and give us confidence for the weeks ahead.”

As is so often the case, Bayern were faced with ultra-defensive opponents whose strategy was to avoid conceding at all costs, and potentially make off with all three points on the break. However, thanks to their patient approach and a steady increase in pace and pressure in the second half, Louis van Gaal’s men earned a deserved victory, their seventh Champions League opening day win in a row.

“It was a tough challenge from the start, Roma were as defensive as we all expected,” summarised director of sport Christian Nerlinger, “what impressed me most was the way in which we imposed ourselves on AS Roma from the start.” After a goalless first half almost entirely devoid of goalmouth action, “we started creating chances to go with our composed and dominant play,” Nerlinger continued.