Müller double helps Bayern prevail at Olympiacos
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
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Olympiacos 0-3 Bayern München
Thomas Müller's mis-directed cross put the visitors in front before last-gasp goals from Mario Götze and Müller again wrapped up the win.
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- Bayern record their 12th successive matchday one victory
- Thomas Müller breaks Olympiacos resistance just after half-time (52)
- Leandro Salino shoots wide for home side late on
- Mario Götze (89) and Müller again (90+2) wrap up victory
- Next games: Arsenal v Olympiacos, Bayern v Dinamo Zagreb (29 September)
Bayern München produced another strong second-half showing to earn victory at Olympiacos, Thomas Müller scoring either side of a Mario Götze goal – although the German champions were made to work for their win.
Bayern took control early in the match, establishing their tempo and leaving to threaten occasionally on the counterattack. Twenty-six minutes in came the first big chance, but Roberto got a hand on Robert Lewandowski's header and Ideye Brown was able to clear off the line.
With Xabi Alonso and Juan Bernat trying their luck from range, a Bayern opener looked a matter of time; Roberto tried to delay it as long as possible. The Olympiacos goalkeeper made fine saves from Douglas Costa and Müller before the interval, but his luck turned seven minutes into the second half.
Müller's attempted cross from the right was too long for Lewandowski, but high enough to lob the Spanish goalkeeper and drop inside his far post.
Ideye had an attempt saved by Manuel Neuer as Olympiacos sought a response, and a golden chance to level went begging seven minutes from time as as Leandro Salino fired wide with only Neuer to beat.
Bayern refocused and wrapped up the points. First, substitutes Kingsley Coman and Götze combined, the latter beating Roberto from an angle. Müller then scored his second and Bayern's third from the spot after Coman had been brought down by Arthur Masuaku.
Man of the Match:
Three days after his 26th birthday, he scored his 29th UEFA Champions League goal in unusual fashion: a long-range effort resembled to a cross but instead flew into the far corner. His assured late penalty was reward after a display in which he was at the heart of almost every Bayern move, regularly unsettling the Olympiacos defence.
Where the match was won
Bayern's quality eventually prevailed. More compact as a team and able to control the game and dictate proceedings, they made their dominance count in the second half.
Where Olympiacos let it slip?
Olympiacos did their best, but they were outplayed by their visitors. Marco Silva's side still lack cohesion and are yet to gel after their major overhaul in the summer, and they are still short of sharpness.