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Bayern dominate against Atletico, Gladbach surrenders victory against Inter

Champions League
Bayern dominate against Atletico Madrid, Gladbach surrenders victory against Inter Milan

Corentin Tolisso (3rd from left) scored Bayern’s third goal against Atletico from a distance, the teammates are happy

© Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images

FC Bayern set a scent mark right at the start of the Champions League season: the defending champion Atletico Madrid waddled 4-0. Borussia Mönchengladbach missed a win against Inter Milan.

FC Bayern Munich played in the style of a defending champion and took Atletico Madrid apart in the first game of the Champions League group stage 4-0. Borussia Mönchengladbach did not shine as well as Munich, but earned a respectable 2-2 away at Inter Milan. In the meantime, coach Marco Rose’s team even led 2-1.

Unimpressed by the corona vortex surrounding Serge Gnabry, FC Bayern continued the triumphant advance in the premier class two months after the triumph of Lisbon. The goals in the empty Allianz Arena against Atletico Madrid were achieved by an outstanding Kingsley Coman (28th minute / 72nd), Leon Goretzka (41st) and Corentin Tolisso (66th).

Munich quickly controlled the game

After a balanced start, the Munich team took control of the game, even if the uncomfortable Spaniards were brave. Niklas Süle hit the post in the 15th minute and Tolisso, who failed three minutes later to visiting goalkeeper Jan Oblak, had the first good opportunities for the home side.

Kimmich initiated the leadership for Bayern. The 25-year-old fought for the ball and served Coman perfectly, who easily overcame Oblak from close range. In August, the Frenchman had ensured the final triumph of Munich against Paris Saint-Germain with his goal, and now, appropriately, he opened the next title hunt for the Munich team.

Even after that, the hosts appeared more determined and more effective. Deserved increased Goretzka, who had come free in the penalty area after a quick attack on Coman’s template.

Manuel Neuer in luck

Atlético rarely came dangerous before the Munich goal, new signing Luis Suárez narrowly missed twice before the break. In the preseason, the Madrilenians had promoted defending champions Liverpool FC under coach Jürgen Klopp from the competition and then failed in the quarter-finals at RB Leipzig.

Shortly after the restart, the ball was in the goal of Munich. Joao Felix, who was once committed for 127 million euros, had met. But because Suárez was offside in front of Manuel Neuer, the goal did not count. Neuer had previously eagerly complained. The Bayern keeper caught up with Philipp Lahm with his 112th appearance in the Champions League, only record holder Müller has 116 more games.

Because Atlético now acted more aggressively and aimed more often at the penalty area of ​​Munich, the defending champion had more space. The 3-0 meanwhile came from a free kick. Kimmich’s shot was blocked by Suárez, Tolisso chased the ball into the right corner of the goal from 25 meters – the decision. A little later after a fine individual performance, Coman refined the evening with his second goal. The rest was a show.

Gladbach’s respect was evident

Borussia Mönchengladbach, on the other hand, just missed a dream start in their comeback in the Champions League. Ramy Bensebaini (63rd) and Jonas Hofmann (84th) scored for the Germans, which was still leading shortly before the end. Star striker Romelu Lukaku (49th and 90th) tore the Gladbach from all dreams. In Group B, the star ensemble from Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk, who lead Group B after a completely surprising 3-2 in Madrid, are now waiting.

At first, however, the Gladbachers showed respect for the big names. Before the kick-off, Rose had warned against Lukaku, who was mostly Nico Elvedi. Next to the massive Belgian was Alexis Sánchez, followed by Christian Eriksen, who fired the first warning shot into the arms of Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer with a free kick from a good 35 meters (13th).

Borussia lacked the speed in the first half and above all the precision in the opposing half. Rose had put up a chain of three behind Alassane Pléa, who had just become a father. Sports director Max Eberl said that the team should appear “brave”, “disgusting” and “cheeky”. The games against Real and Donetsk are not going to be any easier. The switching game worked too seldom.

Hakimi was absent from Inter because of a positive corona test

The hosts had to do without the former Dortmund Achraf Hakimi, who was infected with the corona virus, at short notice. The announcement of the positive test just a few hours before kick-off had no impact on the process in the venerable Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. 1000 spectators created a bit of a European Cup atmosphere, but the almost shouted instructions from Milan coach Antonio Conte could be heard clearly.

Driven by Eriksen, Inter put the Bundesliga side under pressure. Lukaku’s finish in the penalty area just missed the post (41st). Apart from that, the defense around Elvedi and national player Matthias Ginter was remarkably secure near the goal for a long time. Their own offensive efforts, such as Jonas Hofmann (33rd) or Marcus Thuram (44th), did not consistently finish the Gladbachers. But they showed that the Inter defense could be cracked with more speed.

Conte brought in striker Lautaro Martínez for the second half, who immediately fitted in perfectly. The Argentine headed the opening goal through Lukako, which the Gladbach team did not guard for a moment. Then it became more difficult for the Rose-Elf to get into the game offensively – before referee Björn Kuipers pointed to the point according to the video images. The former Bayern professional Arturo Vidal had fouled Thuram in the penalty area, Bensebaini certainly converted.

Inter then determined the game. Martínez hit the post (81st). Counter-opportunities arose for Borussia only rarely – Hofmann used the one important one perfectly. Then came Lukaku again.

tis
DPA

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