After a week full of disappointments, Bayern Munich started their Champions League campaign in emphatic fashion, with a 3:0 win over RSC Anderlecht. Although the big win, still wasn’t enough to propel them to the top spot in the table, since PSG’s complete 5:0 domination of Celtic raised more eyebrows, the win would give Bayern the much-needed confidence ahead of a tough footballing schedule for the rest of the month.
Robert Lewandowski was fouled inside the box inside the first ten minutes as Sven Kums held his shirt off when he was about the receive a long ball from midfield. The Pole converted the resulting penalty himself after the Anderlecht midfielder was sent off.
Kums’ sending off aided Bayern, as they relentlessly attacked the 10 men Anderlecht throughout the match. The second goal was put on a plate by Joshua Kimmich thanks to his brilliant cross from the right flank, as Thiago made no mistake and calmly sent the ball into the back of the net. The hosts, then furthered their dominance over the game as Kimmich fooled the goalkeeper inside the box, to score Bayern’s third in the final minute of the game.
Here are the Bayern Munich player ratings in their easy win over the Belgian outfit.
Manuel Neuer (7.5/10): Didn’t have much to do in the first half apart from a saving an effort from Trebel. His second half was far busier, but the German International responded well to the pressure, successfully managing to preserve his clean sheet at the end.
Joshua Kimmich (9/10): After a bad game on the weekend, Joshua Kimmich managed to find his form against a hapless Anderlecht defence. His marauding runs on the right caused a lot of troubles for the opposition. He first assisted Thiago for Bayern’s second goal and then added himself to the scoresheet with some neat footwork at the end.
Niklas Sule (7.5/10): Was rewarded with his Champions League debut against Anderlecht. He played well in the centre of the Bayern defence but often found himself in a scoring position on the other end. Had his goal chalked off for a foul midway through the second half.
Javi Martinez (7/10): Never looked comfortable against the pacy opposition attackers. Although he did get the job done, he was far from being comfortable in the centre of the defence. He was replaced by Jerome Boateng 13 minutes from time.
Rafinha (7.5/10): Got the job done somehow, despite not being too outstanding in defence nor in the attacking front. Just another ‘decent’ performance from the little Brazilian.
Thiago Alcantara (8/10): Ruled the midfield, after a hugely disappointing game against Hoffenheim. His passing was top notch and he looked pretty confident throughout the game. He scalped one for himself, with an easy tap in, to double Bavarians’ lead over the Belgians.
Corentin Tolisso (7.5/10): He complemented Thiago, as the duo dominated the midfield throughout the game. Tolisso looked pretty sharp with his forward passing and movements but his lack of defensive duties doesn’t bode well for Carlo Ancelotti.
Arjen Robben (7.5/10): Couldn’t make a telling impact on the right-hand side. He failed to find an opening against the Anderlecht defensive line. But he did make some eye-catching acrobatic efforts to keep fans entertained throughout the game.
Franck Ribery (8/10): Was far more effective than Arjen Robben. Ribery made quite stir down the left-hand channel but his attitude and aggression often let him down. His exaggerated reaction towards Lewandowski’s foul earned him a yellow inside the first 10 minutes while his petulant reaction to his late substitution also didn’t unnoticed.
James Rodriguez (7.5/10): Was given his full debut by Carlo Ancelotti against the Belgian giants. But the Colombian could never really impress his gaffer, although his performance was much better in the second half.
Robert Lewandowski (8.5/10): Notched up his seventh goal in six games for Bayern this season when he coolly converted the penalty kick to give his side an early advantage. Lewandowski was a danger man for Anderlecht for the entirety of the game.
Subs
Jerome Boateng (8/10): Returned from an injury layoff after replacing Javi Martinez in the latter stages of the game. The German International marked his comeback in superb fashion, with his accurate through ball for Kimmich for the third goal of the game.
Thomas Muller (NA): Didn’t have anything left to do after replacing the sulky Ribery late in the game.
Kingsley Coman (NA): The French International also couldn’t add much to the proceedings after being subbed on for James Rodriguez for the final five minutes of the game.
