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FC Bayern also won the fifth of six Champions League preliminary round matches. Against Lok Moscow it took a defensive player to work hard.
Thanks to Nikas Süle and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, FC Bayern Munich ended their triumphant year in the Champions League with a victory.
In the final match of the group, the defending champions beat Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 (0-0) after a performance boost after the break. With his first goal in the premier class in match 25, Süle paved the way for the record champions Germany, who were already group and round of 16 winners (minute 63). Choupo-Moting, called up by the slightly ill Robert Lewandowski, made it all clear (80th). The victory brought another 2.7 million euros in prizes to the box office of the current champion’s club.
Bavaria without Lewandowski
Bayern, who in addition to Lewandowski (slight muscular problems) and also did without David Alaba (stress control) against the Russians, now await Monday’s draw in Nyon. The top 16 round will be played in February and March next year. Before that, the third of the last game of the year is in the Bundesliga on Saturday against Union Berlin.
Coach Hansi Flick forgave some regular players and tested the B lineup. Instead of Lewandowski, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting was allowed to attack again in 1: 1 at Atlético de Madrid, as in the previous week. Long-injured Canadian Alphonso Davies returned to the left side of defense, where Alaba last defended.
Defensive bulwark of Moscow
However, Bayern started out dominant as expected against the defensive Russians. In addition to their starting eleven, they only brought five substitutes to Munich, including two goalkeepers.
For almost 20 minutes, both teams had no chance to score. Bayern tried on the wings, but due to lack of precision on the flanks, this was unsuccessful. FC Bayern put in a lot of effort against the guests’ multi-legged defense. But the defending champion also lacked the creativity to break through the bulwark.
Hoe trick by choupo-moting
Meanwhile, the Russians counted on the counterattack. On one of the counterattacks in the 35th minute, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had to step in and use both fists to dodge the ball after Dmitri Rybtschinski hit the ball. In the 39th minute, the guests reappeared dangerously in front of Bayern’s goal, but a shot from Francois Kamano caught Leon Goretzka. In return, Thomas Müller only hit the outside net and squandered his best 1-0 opportunity so far.
For Bayern, the mandatory task against the last of the group proved to be a tough test of patience. Serge Gnabry came into play for Thomas Müller in the second half. Niklas Süle headed in after a corner from the national player, but Marinato Guilherme prevented Bayern from scoring (50th). The goalkeeper was also there for a heel play from Choupo-Moting (53rd).
With Gnabry, the record champions of Germany increased the pressure. In 57 he missed with a double chance at Guilherme and then fired wide. In the 63rd minute, Süle rewarded the locals’ effort and headed a Costa corner to make it 1-0. In the 80th minute, Choupo-Moting ensured success with his goal to make it 2-0.
