Bristling Bayern too strong for PSV
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Article summary
Luciano Narsingh's fine strike briefly gave PSV hope but it was business as usual for Bayern as a sizeable gulf between the top and bottom two opened up in Group D.
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Bayern outclassed PSV Eindhoven in Munich as they returned to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League and strengthened their grip on a top-two spot in Group D.
The German champions bossed the first half and took an early lead through Thomas Müller. It was soon 2-0 after a deflected David Alaba cross allowed Joshua Kimmich to nod in from almost on the goal line.
Only some excellent goalkeeping from Jeroen Zoet kept the score respectable before Luciano Narsingh fired in a superb effort on the counter to rekindle PSV's hopes.
They were snuffed out in the second half when Robert Lewandowski headed in after Zoet had parried Arjen Robben's shot. The Dutch winger then capped a superb display with his team's fourth.
Key player: Arjen Robben
The Dutchman was alert to play the quick corner for Bayern's opening goal and his silky footwork led to Lewandowski's strike. The fairy-tale performance against his old employers was complete when he nodded in Bayern's fourth. It drew a standing ovation from both sets of fans.
Crisis? What crisis?
Mats Hummels promised a response to Bayern's recent slump in form and the Bundesliga champions duly delivered. But for a brief lapse in concentration at the end of the first half, the hosts were dominant, moved the ball with purpose and attacked with the intensity that we are used to seeing from them at home in the UEFA Champions League.
PSV positivity
Arguably the most important decision of the evening was taken before kick-off. Choosing an attack-oriented 4-3-3, visiting coach Phillip Cocu declared his intention to go toe-to-toe with the German champions. Initially it looked like the wrong decision but PSV gave a decent account of themselves and were unlucky to have only found the net once.
Reporters' views
Jordan Maciel, Bayern (@UEFAcomJordanM)
For Bayern a win was compulsory and it never seemed in doubt. Carlo Ancelotti will be pleased with the attitude shown by his players, putting the contest to bed just as PSV looked like they may conjure an equaliser.
Derek Brookman, PSV (@UEFAcomDerekB)
It was obvious from the start that Bayern were superior and PSV would have to rely on counterattacks, so in that respect the half-time scoreline was very much following the script. Yet before Lewandowski netted his side's decisive third, the visitors had two golden chances to level. It would have been interesting to see how Ancelotti's men responded to that. In the end they won comfortably, though, and only the remarkable Zoet kept things respectable.