Robert Lewandowski, Thiago Alcantara and Joshua
Kimmich were on target as Bayern Munich sealed a 3-0 victory over 10-man
Anderlecht.
Robert
Lewandowski outlined his importance to Bayern Munich as his early
penalty helped Carlo Ancelotti’s side to a 3-0 victory over 10-man
Anderlecht in their Champions League Group B opener.
Having
been publicly criticised by Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge following
his comments regarding the Bundesliga champions’ transfer policy,
Lewandowski wasted no time in making an impact when he drew a clumsy
foul from Sven Kums 11 minutes in.
Though the
initial contact may well have been outside of the area, a penalty was
awarded – and Kums was given his marching orders – with Lewandowski
making no mistake from 12 yards.
Bayern came
into Tuesday’s clash on the back of their first defeat of the season,
which came at the hands of Hoffenheim, and Die Rotten were far from at
their best once more, with the visitors squandering two excellent
opportunities to restore parity either side of half time.
But, Bayern finally clicked into gear just after the hour, Thiago Alcantara tucking home from Joshua Kimmich’s pinpoint cross.
An
argument between Lewandowski and Arjen Robben and the touchline antics
of Franck Ribery threatened to overshadow Bayern’s return to form, but
Kimmich’s late effort ensured a routine victory ended on a high note.
James
Rodriguez should have marked his full debut with a goal inside 10
minutes, but could only direct a tame header straight at Matz Sels after
meeting Ribery’s inch-perfect cross.
However, Bayern did not have to wait long to take the lead.
Having
latched onto a ball over the top of Anderlecht’s defence, Lewandowski
raced into the area, drawing a desperate foul from Kums who – as the
last man – the referee had little choice but to send off.
Lewandowski duly converted from the spot, sending Sels the wrong way with a composed finish into the bottom-left corner.
Despite
their numerical advantage, a close-range Lewandowski header was the
closest Bayern went to extending their lead, and Anderlecht should have
drawn level prior to the interval.
Leander
Dendoncker got in behind Bayern’s defence and teed up Nicolae Stanciu
but, having slipped at the vital moment, he sliced his effort wide as
Anderlecht failed to capitalise on a rare venture forward.
And
the hosts’ vulnerable defence was opened up once again moments after
the restart when Sofiane Hanni’s cut-back found Alexandru Chipciu, whose
effort rebounded agonisingly off the left-hand upright.
Ancelotti’s
side responded well, though, and finally had their second in the 65th
minute as Thiago prodded in Kimmich’s low cross.
Niklas
Sule thought he had opened his Champions League account with a terrific
header soon after, only for the official to deem the former Hoffenheim
man had committed a foul in the build up.
Bayern
were back at their rampant best, but issues arose late on when
Lewandowski shrugged off Robben’s complaints after the Poland striker
failed to play in the Dutch winger before, having been substituted,
Ribery launched his shirt down onto the bench.
But
that petulance from Bayern’s experienced front line was put to one side
in stoppage time, youngster Kimmich coolly rounding Sels to add further
gloss to the win.
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