Commanding Bayern overcome Atlético

FC Bayern turned in an impressive display to beat Atlético 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night and claim three crucial points. Lennart Karl and Konrad Laimer netted for the patient German record champions in the second half.

Munich started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah and Josip Stanišić in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Tom Bischof anchored a midfield featuring Michael Olise, Karl and Alphonso Davies, with Harry Kane up front. Nathaniel Brown, Minjae Kim and Sacha Boey took over from Karl, Davies and Laimer in the second half.

No goals

After a minute's silence in memory of CD Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel Alameda and the victims of last week's train accident in Spain, Bayern enjoyed more of the ball, although the first chance fell to Atlético, Julian Álvarez curling wide. Upamecano won the ball and found Kane, who set up Karl, but the youngster aimed too high. Kane’s sideways scissor-kick went wide as Munich upped the pressure.

Marc Pubill whipped in a dangerous ball to Alexander Sørloth, who couldn’t direct it on target, before Kane saw a shot blocked and Stanišić fired inches wide. The dominant visitors were unable to find a way through before the break as the two sides went in goalless.

Patience pays off

Kimmich drew a save from Oblak and Kane’s shot went wide as Bayern went straight back on the attack. They eventually took the lead when the hosts failed to clear the ball and Karl dispossessed Robin Le Normand in the box before beating Oblak. Bischof’s deflected shot was saved and Oblak denied Laimer.

Kane curled over before Oblak tipped Upamecano’s deflected strike onto the bar, but another goal was coming and arrived when Bayern regained possession and Kane teed up Laimer, who smashed past Oblak in the Atléti goal. The Munich men saw out the rest of the game comfortably and could’ve even extended their lead, with Upamecano having a goal disallowed and Brown’s effort being blocked by Oblak, but it ended 2-0 at the Estadio Metropolitano.

The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to face Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen