Bayern Munich put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday by sweeping aside Atalanta 6-1 in a powerful demonstration of why the German giants are among the favourites to win the competition.
They took the lead through Josip Stanisic in the 12th minute and are all but through following a stunning brace from standout player Michael Olise and further strikes from Serge Gnabry, Nicolas Jackson, and Jamal Musiala.
The marauding display, which came with Harry Kane and Musiala both starting on the bench, left Atalanta with virtually no chance of progressing.
A blockbuster tie against either Real Madrid or Manchester City awaits Bayern in the next round, barring a historic collapse in next week’s second leg in Munich.
For Atalanta, it will be a comeback too far after the thrilling way they eliminated Borussia Dortmund to reach the last 16, and their near-certain elimination will end Italy’s participation in the Champions League this season.
Being knocked out by European royalty is no disgrace for a traditionally small club that has punched above its weight at home and abroad for the past decade.
But it was a chastening night for both the Atalanta players, who were applauded off by their vociferous support at half-time and at the final whistle, and for Italian football.
Even without Kane and Musiala on the pitch, Bayern pressed relentlessly from the start, with Olise twice testing goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi in the first five minutes.
Atalanta were caught sleeping at a set piece as Olise rolled his corner to Gnabry who, completely unmarked in the penalty area, pushed the ball on to Stanisic to net from close range.
Olise then put Atalanta on the back foot in the 22nd minute, drifting in from the right flank to curl in his second Champions League goal of the season.
The France forward was key again for Bayern’s third three minutes later, his first touch leading to Gnabry flying through on goal and effectively ending the tie as a contest.
Gnabry also clipped the crossbar as Bayern ran riot, and coach Vincent Kompany showed no mercy by introducing Musiala and Alphonso Davies at the break.
Jackson drilled in the fourth in the 52nd minute, before Olise struck the goal of the night in the 64th minute. Jackson then set up Musiala to guide home Bayern’s sixth three minutes later.
By the time Pasalic netted Atalanta’s consolation in stoppage time, Bayern could have had double figures, and the travelling supporters were already looking ahead to a potential showdown with City or Madrid.
AFP
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