Put pressure on the opponent and take control of the game - that was the demand from coach Hansi Flick before the visit to Chelsea. FC Bayern managed this almost perfectly. And after the break, the well-deserved goals for Munich also fell.
London (AP) - Serge Gnabry has paved the way for an extremely mature Bayern Munich with his next goal show in London to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The former Arsenal professional practically knocked out Chelsea in the grandiose revenge of the German record champions for the "Finale dahoam" lost in 2012 with his double stroke (51st / 54th minute), especially since Robert Lewandowski (76th) was able to add his eleventh premier-class goal of the season to the final score of 3: 0 (0: 0).
In the group phase, international Gnabry had already played phenomenally in the 7-2 win against Tottenham as a four-goal scorer. He scored both goals after a one-two with the equally outstanding Lewandowski. In the final stages, Chelsea's Marcos Alonso saw red after an assault against Lewandowski (84th).
The second round of the second leg on March 18 in Munich should only be a matter of form for Bayern, who, under coach Hansi Flick, also appears to be maturing again in Europe for the title contender. Bayern completed the triumphal march of the Bundesliga in the first knockout round of the European Cup after Borussia Dortmund and Leipzig in the premier class as well as Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg in the Europa League had won their respective first legs last week. German football is apparently reporting back internationally this season.
"It is important that we play our game through, put pressure on the opponent and take control of the game," said Flick, who had been 55 years old on Monday, immediately before the game on Sky. His professionals implemented their boss's guidelines right from the start. After 40 seconds, Thomas Müller fired a first warning shot, but Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero easily parried.
Flick relied on the last proven formation - on the offensive with the extremely busy and dangerous Müller as an asset on the Ten and Kingsley Coman. The 3: 2 against SC Paderborn blocked Jérôme Boateng and Benjamin Pavard as expected, along with David Alaba and Alphonso Davies, the defense.
Boateng in particular stood out as a stabilizer and safety factor and was one of the guarantors for the important zero game. A few minutes before the end, the former international saved with a perfect tackle in his own penalty area against Tammy Abraham.
In the first half, the spectators saw a controlled game by both teams, which was looking to avoid mistakes. Chelsea put on a strong defensive with a three or five chain and long balls on the French world champion Olivier Giroud, who remained almost ineffective and was replaced after an hour. The guests from Munich thought through their attacks in a well-thought-out and controlled manner and already closer to the goal - however, with a clear increase in opportunities, the effectiveness at the end was lacking.
Coman failed on the outside network (11th). Lewandowski tested the London goalkeeper Caballero from an acute angle (15th). The Argentinean rescued by foot against Lewandowski ten minutes later. Müller's shot from a distance narrowly missed (29th), his header landed on the crossbar (35th).
The 38-year-old Caballero justified his preference over 80 million man Kepa in several situations. On the other hand, Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was challenged for the first time shortly before the break: He steered a low shot from Marcos Alonso to the side (43.). After the change, Bayern finally rewarded themselves for their effort with a remarkable Gnabry double strike.
The former Arsenal professional, who scored four times at 7-2 in the group stage at Tottenham Hotspur, once again proved to be a London scare. Both goals were preceded by fantastic combinations with Lewandowski, who unselfishly misplaced the first goal. Also at the second goal, the two strong offensive forces easily levered out the Chelsea defense against international Antonio Rüdiger.
Philippe Coutinho, who was substituted in for Coman, who was obviously injured on the thigh, could have increased with a sideways pull (68.). This was taken over by Lewandowski, who benefited from wonderful preparatory work and a considered pass from Davies at 3-0 and scored again for the first time after seven goalless knockout games. The Chelsea professionals now looked finally frustrated - Alonso allowed himself to be grabbed by Lewandowski's face and saw red (84th).
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