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Bayern Munich overcame a stubborn CSKA Moscow outfit to record their 100th Champions League victory with a 1-0 triumph yesterday. |
Thomas Muller’s first-half penalty proved decisive for Pep Guardiola’s side in the Group E clash at an empty Arena Khimki, which was closed to supporters due to UEFA-imposed sanctions after CSKA fans displayed ‘a range of racist and far-right symbols’ in a Champions League match with Viktoria Plzen last December.
Bayern did the double over CSKA in last season’s competition, but the Russian champions were no pushovers and Ahmed Musa and Roman Eremenko both went close to cancelling out the deficit in the first half. But Bayern, who have now kept six clean sheets on the bounce in all competitions, were just as dominant after the break and comfortably produced a repeat of their result in the group-stage opener against Manchester City.
The victory - which brings up a century of successes for the Germans since the new format for Europe’s elite tournament was introduced in 1992 - makes it nine unbeaten for Guardiola’s men. Leonid Slutsky’s defensive plan was evident from the start, with the hosts happy to keep 11 men behind the ball in an attempt to frustrate Bayern, who began with a back three in the absence of Jerome Boateng (rested) and Holger Badstuber (thigh).
CSKA did launch a rare foray forward inside the opening 10 minutes as Eremenko found Musa but the Nigerian’s shot was well over the crossbar.
Mario Gotze spurned a more presentable opportunity at the other end with a poorly struck shot from inside the box, while Arjen Robben’s effort from the edge of the area forced Igor Akinfeev into a smart near-post save. Spain international Xabi Alonso got a sight of goal from a long-range free-kick in the 17th minute but only succeeded in finding the grateful arms of Akinfeev as Bayern struggled to create clear-cut chances.
But the visitors got the boost they needed when Mario Fernandes brought down Gotze in the box and Muller - who also scored a penalty in Bayern’s 3-1 triumph at CSKA in last season’s Champions League - converted from the spot after 22 minutes.That setback forced CSKA out of their shell and Eremenko fired a dangerous shot just over Manuel Neuer’s goal in the home side’s next attack.
And they should have levelled nine minutes before the interval when Musa - who netted in the 5-1 loss to Roma a fortnight ago - raced through with only Neuer to beat but powered his shot straight at the goalkeeper’s chest.
