Lewandowski double gives Bayern win at Dinamo
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Article summary
Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 Bayern München
Robert Lewandowski's second-half goals made it five victories from six games in this season's competition for the Group F winners.
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Article body
- Robert Lewandowski's second-half brace helps Bayern prevail at Dinamo Zagreb
- Dinamo's El Arabi Hilal Soudani misses two great first-half chances
- Lewandowski's diving header puts Group F winners in front (61)
- Pole clinches points (64); Thomas Müller misses late penalty
- Round of 16 draw takes place at 12.00CET on Monday
Bayern München made it five wins from six in UEFA Champions League Group F as two clinical Robert Lewandowski finishes ended the resistance of a dogged Dinamo Zagreb.
Although Bayern had already secured first place in the section, and Josep Guardiola accordingly opted to make changes, the visitors were positive from the first whistle. Medhi Benatia headed wide while Dinamo defender Leonardo Sigali needed to tidy up after Lewandowski had flicked an effort past goalkeeper Eduardo.
Even so, Dinamo had the better openings of the first 45 minutes, Josip Pivarić having a shot tipped over before El Arabi Hilal Soudani passed up two glorious opportunities. First, a slick one-touch move cut Bayern open and left the Algerian forward clear; Sven Ulreich was out quickly to block.
Shortly before the interval, however, the visiting custodian misjudged Ante Ćorić's right-wing free-kick, allowing Soudani to get his head to the ball – but the attempt flashed wide.
Guardiola introduced Thomas Müller and Jérôme Boateng at half-time, the former replacing Franck Ribéry who was making his first UEFA Champions League appearance since March.
If the alterations initially failed to pep up the Bundesliga side – only a fine Ulreich save denying Junior Fernandes the opening goal – Bayern burst to life just past the hour. Müller was the supplier, delivering a perfect right-wing cross that a diving Lewandowski nodded past Eduardo.
Three minutes later the provider was different but the outcome the same. Sebastian Rode slid a pass through to Lewandowski, and once more the finish was unerring as the ball was lifted beyond Eduardo.
Pivarić thundered a strike against the crossbar as Dinamo sought a reply, although Lewandowski stretched to meet Rode's cross only to miss out on a hat-trick as he directed it a metre wide. Bayern had an even better chance to add a third when Arturo Vidal was felled by Eduardo late on, but Müller was less accurate than Lewandowski, his kick hitting the left-hand post.
Reaction
Zoran Mamić, Dinamo Zagreb coach
I congratulate Bayern on a well-deserved victory. We had our chances but we couldn't score. The difference was that they have their 'assassin' Lewandowski. We fought hard but Guardiola has the luxury of calling on names like Arturo Vidal and Thomas Müller in the second half.
Josep Guardiola, Bayern coach
Dinamo played a good game, they showed that they have individual quality. They're really good team although they didn't qualify for the next stage. We want to play against the best teams and I'm looking forward to any opponent we get.