Reds return to winning ways

If there was the faintest hint of a crisis before FC Bayern's Champions League encounter with PSV, the German record champions provided an emphatic response. FC Bayern won 4-1 against Eindhoven, taking a giant stride towards the knockout stages in Europe's premier club competition. Even more importantly, they bounced back in impressive style from a run of three games without victory - midway through the first half Bayern had hit the woodwork once and found the net twice.

Thomas Müller opened the scoring after 13 minutes before Joshua Kimmich doubled the lead seven minutes later. PSV forward Luciano Narsingh pulled one back shortly before half-time, but Robert Lewandowski put the game beyond the visitors' reach on the hour. Arjen Robben added his name to the scoresheet shortly before the final whistle, putting the Bavarians' performance in the right context.

The German record champions lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal behind a defensive unit comprising milestone man Philipp Lahm, who made his 100th Champions League appearance, Jérôme Boateng , Mats Hummels and David Alaba. Xabi Alonso filled the holding position behind Kimmich and Thiago, with Robben and Müller out wide and Lewandowski as an orthodox centre-forward. Costa replaced Müller midway through the second half, with Martínez and Sanches taking over from Kimmich and Robben in the closing stages.

The 71,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena saw the hosts signal their intent from the off. Two minutes had been played when Müller missed the first gilt-edged chance, his ten-yard shot skidding wide. Five minutes later the native Bavarian failed to connect with a Lewandowski cross. A little later Alaba fired the ball into the Munich night sky from 15 yards before PSV netminder Zoet denied Lewandowski's fine long-range effort. The visitors were reeling, and punishment followed when Müller netted from point-blank range after a quickly-taken Robben corner 13 minutes into the contest. PSV had set out their stall to defend, but the German record champions pushed on and Alaba hit the woodwork before Kimmich headed home the Austrian's deflected cross after 20 minutes.

Carlo Ancelotti's troops eased off a little after the second goal, but that did not mean they had no chances, notably two efforts by Robben and Kimmich. Bayern turned in a near-flawless display in the first 40 minutes, but the Reds eased off a little in the run-in to half-time and Narsingh pulled one back on the break via Neuer's fingertips and the far post.

Lewy and Arjen close it out

The second period began as an up-tempo contest with chances for either side, but it was effectively over when Lewandowski netted a rebound after Zoet denied Robben on the hour. The Bavarians' superior fitness began to tell in the last 20 minutes and Robben connected with a Thiago chip, heading the ball in with five minutes to go.

The victory means Bayern are now second in Group D on six points, three short of table-toppers Atlético. The German record champions now entertain Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Gregor Salmen

 

FC Bayern - PSV Eindhoven 4 -1 (H-T: 2-1)