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Bayern Munich 3-0 Red Star Belgrade: Coman, Lewandowski and Muller break resistance

Kingsley Coman, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller earned Bayern Munich a 3-0 victory over Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League.

Kingsley Coman celebrates with Ivan Perisic after Bayern Munichs opening goal

Munich, September 19: Kingsley Coman, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller earned Bayern Munich a 3-0 victory over Red Star Belgrade as they moved top of Champions League Group B.

Results | Points Table | Fixtures

In-form France winger Coman struck in the 34th minute for the German giants at the Allianz Arena, his sixth goal of the campaign for club and country.

They were given a scare in the latter stages when Marko Marin curled agonisingly wide, but Lewandowski and substitute Muller struck late on to add gloss to the result.

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Tottenham's draw with Olympiacos leaves Bayern as the only side with maximum points in the group after matchday one.

Philippe Coutinho was a lively presence throughout and he threatened with a driven shot just over the bar from the edge of the penalty after the visitors failed to clear their lines.

Jander wasted a chance for Red Star when he selfishly shot from a wide angle and could only find the side-netting and soon the Serbian champions were made to pay.

With a drop of the shoulder, Ivan Perisic beat his man before whipping in an inviting left-wing cross, which Coman converted emphatically with a diving header.

Coutinho almost made it two with a trademark effort, cutting inside before wrapping his foot around a bending shot that agonisingly missed the top-right corner.

Marin was inches away from levelling when he shot just wide with Manuel Neuer rooted, and Lewandowski made Red Star pay when, with 10 minutes left, he took advantage of some tired defending to poke in from close range.

Muller added another in added time when he superbly latched onto Thiago Alcantara's free-kick cheekily flicked over the wall.

What does it mean? Bayern lay down a marker

A confident start from Bayern to their Champions League campaign suggests they should be considered a side who can go deep into the competition.

Head coach Niko Kovac is under pressure to deliver in Europe and this was certainly a promising way to start in 2019-20, even if it took some time to kill off the game.

Coutinho confidence returning

Granted, the acid test will come against loftier opposition, but this was an impressive Champions League bow for Bayern from Coutinho. The Brazilian schemer looked at ease in a central role behind Lewandowski and could count himself unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet.

Dogged Red Star could pose home threat

For all their lack of possession, the Serbian side managed to pose an occasional threat and had some joy frustrating Bayern's attack. There was enough to show they could be a more dangerous foe when playing at home, as holders Liverpool found out last season when they lost 2-0 in Serbia in the group stages.

What's next?

Bayern travel to Tottenham knowing a win would put them in firm control of the group after the Premier League side drew their opener. Red Star, meanwhile, host Olympiacos.

Story first published: Thursday, September 19, 2019, 8:20 [IST]
Other articles published on Sep 19, 2019