Bayern Munich maintained their 100 per cent winning record in the Champions League this season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Inter.
The game was a dead rubber as Bayern had already qualified as group winners, having now won all six of their games, with Inter through to the knockout stages as runners-up in Group C.
Referee Ivan Kruzliak had a big call to make inside 10 minutes, when Sadio Mane handled the ball whilst covering his face with both hands. However, following a long VAR review, in which the referee went to the monitor, he decided against giving a penalty and from that moment on Bayern kicked into gear.
Bayern started to probe with more intensity, fashioning a few half chances in the process.
Julian Nagelsmann’s men eventually took the lead on 32 minutes, Joshua Kimmich put in a wonderful corner which was met by Benjamin Pavard who headed down into the ground to bounce the ball past Andre Onana. Lautaro Martinez didn’t do enough to get near Pavard but let that take nothing away from what was a very smart header.
The second half was very comfortable for Bayern, their night was made easier by Inter who defended deep and allowed Bayern possession. Inter’s plan was to keep the game at 1-0 for as long as possible, before venturing in search of an equaliser towards the end of the match. Filippo Inzaghi’s men got gradually braver but all hopes of a comeback soon vanished.
Bayern grabbed the goal that killed off the game after 72 minutes, as Eric Choupo-Moting fired a fantastic effort which went in off the underside of the bar.
Inter pushed forward in the last few minutes but failed to grab a consolation. Bayern once again finish a group stage campaign with six wins from six following a professional performance in Munich.
TALKING POINT – GROUP STAGE GIANTS
Tonight’s win means Bayern come through yet another UEFA Champions League group stage campaign unbeaten, winning six games from six. Incredibly, Bayern are now unbeaten in their last 34 group stage matches, which is a Champions League record.
Their unbeaten record in the group stage stretches back to September 2017 and throughout that time they’ve faced the likes of Barcelona, Benfica, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – ERIC CHOUPO-MOTING (BAYERN)
Another game, another goal for Choupo-Moting who is in sensational form for Bayern. His goal was the highlight of tonight’s match, a thunderous strike and a real moment of magic when Bayern needed a second to kill off the game.
His link up play was great too, often looking to get others involved and allow the wide men to play around him. He gives Bayern a focal point especially when they look to go more direct.
PLAYER RATINGS
Bayern: Ulreich 7, Mazraoui 7, Pavard 8, Upemacano 7, Stanisic 7, Kimmich 8, Sabitzer 7, Coman 6, Gravenberch 6, Mane 6, Chopo-Moting 7
Subs: Davies 7, Musiala 7, Wanner 6, Gnabry 6, Tel 6
Inter: Onana 7, Acerbi 6, de Vrij 7, Darmian 6, Gosens 6, Gagliadrini 6, Asllani 7, Barella 6, Bellanova 6, Correa 6, Martinez 6
Subs: Skriniar 6, Mkhitaryan 6, Carboni 5, Calhanoglu 6, Dzeko 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
9′ NO PENALTY! – Incredible! It looked certain to be a penalty. Sadio Mane raised his hands to protect his face from Barella’s vicious strike and after a lengthy VAR check, the referee suggests that Mane was protecting his face and awards a corner.
26′ MASSIVE CHANCE – Inter play a long pass into Gosens who fires it across the face of goal on a plate for Martinez who slides in at full strength but blasts it over! That’s the best chance of the game so far.
32′ GOAL – BAYERN MUNICH! – Joshua Kimmich puts in a good corner and Benjamin Pavard rises highest to head down into the ground and it bounces up past Onana and into the back of the net!
72′ GOAL – BAYERN MUNICH – Eric Choupo-Mouting smashes home Bayern’s second of the match! What a turnaround it has been for Choupo-Moting.
