FC Bayern München maintained their unblemished record in the Champions League. The Bundesliga leaders won 4-0 at Benfica Lisbon – although for a long time it did not look like such a clear affair.
Without its head coach Julian Nagelsmann, FC Bayern had to play at the Estadio da Luz, the venue of the final triumph and the achieved triple in 2020. The coach was absent due to a flu infection and was represented by his co-coaches Dino Toppmöller and Xaver Zembrod.
There were also some health-related changes on the field after the 5:1 thumping victory in Leverkusen: Goretzka and Davies were both absent due to injury and were replaced by Sabitzer (starting debut in the Bayern jersey) and Pavard (suspended in the league last time out). Süle moved from the right to the centre, Hernandez, whose court date in Madrid had been brought forward, played on the left. Coman was also given his first start since his heart operation in place of Gnabry.
Bayern start strongly, Benfica stabilise
The absence of their coach on the sidelines was not at all noticeable for the German record champions. The FCB picked up exactly where they left off in Leverkusen and created two great chances in the first ten minutes: Sané, who somewhat surprisingly played in a central position, just missed the far corner (5th). Lewandowski failed with his head from close range to Vlachodimos (9th).
The Portuguese, who had replaced former Bundesliga professional Lazaro (muscle injury) with Almeida in comparison to the 3:0 against Barcelona on the last Champions League matchday, initially had great problems with the spirited Bayern, but stabilised considerably after the opening phase and occasionally made pinpricks. The only real chance the Portuguese had in the first half was a really good one, but Neuer made an excellent save against Darwin (33rd).
VAR uncovers Lewandowski’s arm goal
Overall, however, the Bundesliga leaders remained the much more dangerous team despite losing their dominance. The lively Coman missed two good chances (29th, 35th), Sané was just centimetres short of a goal after a lone action in the centre (38th). Shortly before the half-time break, the ball was even in the Benfica goal, but Lewandowski’s goal, scored with his upper arm, was consequently conceded by the VAR (42.).
Into Benfica’s best phase: Sané hands the can opener
After the restart, the Bayern professionals even cheered too early a second time. This time, Müller had dusted off from close range, but Coman, the initiator, was offside – again, the VAR justifiably took the goal back (52nd). Before that, the strong Vlachodimos had once again shown all his skills and deflected a volley by Pavard with his foot against the post (47th).
Despite the two almost-goals, the game became more open in the second half and Benfica became more courageous. Neuer had to make another brilliant save against Goncalves (55th), and Verissimo (57th) and Yaremchuk (68th) did not miss much to give the Portuguese the lead. In the middle of the best phase of the home side, FC Bayern struck: Sané scored with a free-kick from 20 metres half-legged position to make it 1:0 for FCB (70.).
Three goals in four minutes: Bayern screw on the result
It was to be the can opener, because with the opening goal behind them, the visitors once again played their ball-dominant game, Benfica could no longer develop – and the final phase in the Estadio da Luz was a little like the final phase of the first half in the BayArena.
In the space of four minutes, the FCB took what had long been a tight game against the Portuguese side, who were now falling apart, to heights more than befitting their status: First, Benfica’s Everton headed a cross from substitute Gnabry into his own goal (80th), then Lewandowski pushed a somewhat fortunate assist from Sané over the line from close range (82nd), before Sané again crowned his strong performance with a brace after a cross from substitute Stanisic (84th).
This brings FC Bayern’s tally to an impressive nine points and 12 goals to 0 after three games, and they are already five points clear of their closest rivals Benfica. For the Portuguese, the league continues on Sunday (7 pm) with an away match at FC Vizela. The Munich team will host TSG 1899 Hoffenheim the day before (3.30 pm). The CL second leg in Munich is on 2 November.
