Flawless Bayern Munich make UEFA Champions League history against Inter Milan
Bayern Munich became the first team in UEFA Champions League history to record three perfect group stages with a commanding win over Group C runners-up Inter Milan.
Bayern showed five changes to the team that beat Mainz 6-2 in the Bundesliga at the weekend, but still controlled the game for long periods. The only real time they switched off, Inter should have scored. However, Lautaro Martinez spooned over on the stretch from Robin Gosens’ low cross. Bayern showed the Italians how it’s done as Benjamin Pavard outjumped Martinez to head in Joshua Kimmich’s cross. Julian Nagelsmann’s side assumed complete control for the remainder of the half, with Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman denied by Andre Onana.
Inter fired off a couple of warning shots as Francesco Acerbi had a header from a free-kick ruled out for a clear offside, and Roberto Gagliardini tested Sven Ulreich. The Serie A side clearly hadn’t heard the story about poking the Bayern bear, though. With 71 minutes on the clock, substitute Alphonso Davies played a pass into the feet of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who - having earlier had an overhead effort chalked off for offside - found the top corner from 20 yards with his seventh goal in six games. Davies then went within a whisker of turning in Serge Gnabry’s low cross from the right. Bayern were largely untested in the closing stages - save an Ulreich stop from ex-Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko - once more underlining their standing as one of the competition favourites.
Match stats
Bayern have won each of their last 13 group matches in the Champions League, whilst going a record 34 games without defeat at this stage of the competition (W31, D3).
Bayern have scored in each of their previous 22 Champions League matches at the Allianz Arena a club record.
The record champions have 71 goals in all competitions this season - more than any team in Europe's top five leagues per UEFA coefficient.
Nagelsmann has a 100 percent record in the group stage with Bayern (12 wins).
Pavard scored his first goal since Bundesliga Matchday 1.
Choupo-Moting, 33, has scored in six consecutive games for the first time in his professional career.
Champions League Matchday 6 Matchday 6 Allianz Arena
90'
+ 3
THAT'S IT!
Ulreich with a diving save to deny Dzeko a consolation volley, before the whistle goes. Six wins from six from Bayern - polished stuff. No team has ever recorded three perfect group stages.
89'
TIME ADDED ON
Three minutes to go in Munich. No one will want to face Bayern when the last-16 draw's made on Monday...
86'
OVER!
Dzeko heads over for Inter. Decent effort by the ex-Wolfsburg striker, who won the Bundesliga title in 2008/09.
82'
PARTY MOOD
So professional from Bayern tonight. They could have taken it easy, but have delivered for the expectant fans.
77'
DOUBLE CHANGE
Choups has gone off after making it seven goals in six games. Teenagers Tel and Wanner are on, with Coman also making way.
Bayern have a deserved lead through Pavard's header. Inter had a golden chance to take the lead, but have otherwise been second best as the Group C standings suggest.
Half-time
45'
+ 2
KNOCKING AT THE DOOR
Gravenberch's pull back causes problems in the Inter box, but the Italians survive.
45'
+ 2
COMAN!
Coman running in off the left now, with a shot that forces Onana into a diving save to his left.
45'
DENIED
Coman waltzes in off the right. He finds Sabitzer in a central position, but the Austrian's shot is deflected behind for a corner. Kimmich aims for the near post, where Choupo-Moting arrives to flick an effort wide. Into the first of four added minutess...
43'
BAYERN IN CHARGE
Play resumes with Bayern hemming Inter in. Choupo-Moting tries to a get a shot off on the turn, but can't connect.
41'
STOPPAGE
Bellanova needs attention after a clash of heads with Stanisic. Solid showing from the young Bayern defender so far.
39'
PROCEED WITH CAUTION
After Sabitzer gets a ticking off, Gosens goes into the book for a foul on Coman. The Germany international completely miscontrolled a pass from Onana, and knew the Bayern winger would have been in there.
Bayern toy with the Inter defence on the edge of the area, before Mazraoui drags a shot comfortably wide. The right-back's yet to score for Bayern...
35'
MANE!
Mane collects a pass from Gravenberch and drifts inside, before curling a shot at Onana. Warning for Inter. Bayern have their tails up.
32'
BAYERN LEAD!
A corner does for Inter. Kimmich's delivery is right on the money for Pavard, who outjumps Martinez and sends a downward header into the back of the net.
Choupo-Moting, dropping off this time, spots the run of Mazraoui. The pass is nicely weighted, but again Inter clear.
30'
ON THE BREAK!
Choupo-Moting drives at the Inter defence, patiently awaiting a teammate on the overlap. Mane catches up as the pass is played into the box, but Darmian gets a toe to it to clear.
26'
SHOULD SCORE!
A ball over the top catches out Mazraoui. Gosens controls well and steers a ball across goal, where Martinez slides in the the back post, but scoops over. The goal was gaping!
25'
RIGHT PASS
Sabitzer gets his head to an in-swinging Stanisic cross, but so does an Inter defender. Right idea by the record champions, who have made an assured start.
20'
ALL OK
The players are back at it after a check from the two medical teams.
18'
CLASH OF HEADS
There's a stoppage in play following an aerial collision between Mazraoui and Gosens.
15'
OVER!
Panic in the Inter box as Gravenberch tries to feed a teammate. It's cleared only as far as Kimmich, who hoofs over from the edge of the area.
13'
BLOCKED
Choupo-Moting holds off a challenge on the edge of the Inter box after good work by Mane, but his shot is blocked.
10'
NOT GIVEN!
Bayern fans let out a roar of approval as the referee indicates Mane was protecting his face. No penalty!
7'
VAR CHECK
The referee is cheking the pitchside monitor. It looked like Barella's shot hit the hand of Mane...
7'
BARELLA DOUBLE
Bellanova tries to go on the outside of Stanisic, but the young Croatian tracks him all the way. The ensuing corner finds Barella, who stings the palms of Ulreich from range. Barella tries again as Bayern head clear the next delivery, but his 18-yard volley is deflected behind.
5'
FIRST SHOT
Darmian concedes a free kick for a foul on Sabitzer, 25 yards from goal. Kimmich beats the wall, but his strike is too close to Onana.
1'
RED WAVE
The Bayern fans are in fine voice as the ball gets going. The hosts almost catch out the visitors from the off, but Onana is alert to the danger and clears before Stanisic can pounce.
Kick-off!
IN THE TUNNEL
The Bayern players look relaxed, but focused. This is no dead rubber for them...
STRONG RECORD VS. ITALIANS
Bayern are unbeaten in 11 meetings with Italian opposition since losing to Inter in March 2011, winning nine - including the last five on home soil.
THE MANE MAN
Mane has 11 goals and three assists in his first 20 matches for Bayern, including three across his last three appearances in the Champions League.
3:31
WATCH: CHOUPO-MOTORING
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting underlined his rich vein of form with Bayern's sixth goal against former club Mainz. The Cameroon veteran has now scored six times across his last five competitive matches, including in each of his last three in the Bundesliga. Suffice to say his days of playing second fiddle are a thing of the past...
GOAL MACHINE
Bayern have scored 69 competitive goals so far this season. That's more than any club in Europe's top five leagues, per UEFA coefficient.
GROUP SPECIALISTS
Bayern are unbeaten in their last 33 Champions League group games (W30, D3) - an ongoing competition record. The six-time European champions have won each of their last 12 group games - including all 11 under Nagelsmann - another tournament record.
INZAGHI'S TAKE
"It's a challenge against one of the best teams in Europe. We know it'll be tough because we're facing a good team with a great squad."
NAGELSMANN'S VIEW
"Inter play very attractive football. They also caused us issues in the reverse fixture. We want to win the game, but we also have important matches to come in the Bundesliga, where it's very tight in the table. It's a Champions League match and 18 points in the group would be great."
MORE ON THOSE TEAMS
Nagelsmann makes five changes to the Bayern team that beat Mainz 6-2 on Saturday. Benjamin Pavard starts in central defence, while Josip Stanisic comes in at left-back. There are also starts for Marcel Sabitzer, Kingsley Coman and Ryan Gravenberch. Inter rest Skriniar, Bastoni, Dumfries, Dimarco and former Dortmund man Mkhitaryan.
