Robert Lewandowski moved joint third in the all-time UEFA Champions League scoring charts with a goal in Bayern Munich’s 3-1 win over Red Bull Salzburg, as Hansi Flick’s side booked their place in the round of 16 with two games to spare.

Bayern Munich 3-1 Red Bull Salzburg
Goals: 1-0 Lewandowski (43’), 2-0 Wöber (o.g. 52’), 3-0 Sane (68’), 3-1 Berisha (73’)
Sent off: Roca (66’)

Salzburg went toe-to-toe with Bayern for 80 minutes when the teams met at the start of November, before collapsing late on to lose 6-2. They were once again bold in their approach at the Allianz Arena, unfazed by the reputations on the opposite side of the pitch. Still, the first real chance fell to Bayern when Leon Goretzka’s header sat up nicely for Serge Gnabry, whose rasping volley fizzed just wide of the target. The away side did create some presentable chances too though, and Bayern needed Manuel Neuer at his very best to keep out quickfire efforts from Mergim Berisha and Enock Mwepu on the follow-up, while Dominik Szoboszlai will not want to see replays of his glaring miss from 16 yards out with the goal at his mercy. Such wastefulness is invariably punished by Bayern, and Lewandowski gave Hansi Flick’s side a half-time lead when he prodded in the rebound after Thomas Müller’s shot from the edge of the area was saved by Cican Stankovic.

Bayern soon extended their advantage after the interval when Kingsley Coman jinked his way inside from the left, and his shot from the edge of the area was deflected in by Salzburg defender Maximilian Wöber. The home side needed that goal too, as they were reduced to 10 men a few minutes later when Marco Roca was sent off for a second bookable offence. Salzburg understandably tried to take advantage, but were picked off on the counter-attack when substitute Leroy Sane powered in a header from Coman’s precise cross. Neuer preserved the three-goal cushion moments later with another barely believable double save, first keeping out Berisha’s shot before frustrating Mwepu on the rebound. Berisha did net a consolation eventually though, tapping in from close range from Rasmus Kristensen’s right-wing cross, but the outcome was never seriously in any danger as Bayern held on for their fourth win from as many games to seal top spot in Group A.

Match stats

• Lewandowski scored his third Champions League goal of the season and 71st overall to pull level with former Real Madrid and Schalke forward Raul in third place in the all-time standings.
• USA international Chris Richards made his Champions League debut in this game, starting in the unfamiliar position of left-back.
• Roca also made his first outing in the competition in what was just his second start for the Reds.
• Bayern have only lost one of their last 25 European fixtures (W20, D4).
• Flick oversaw his 12th match as a coach in the Champions League. His record reads: 12 wins, 45 goals scored and eight conceded.
• Salzburg’s Marsch was assistant to former RB Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick in 2018/19.

Line-ups

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard (Hernandez 62'), Boateng, Alaba, Richards (Martinez 79') - Roca, Goretzka - Gnabry (Sane 62'), Müller, Coman (Costa 78') - Lewandowski
Unused subs: Nübel, Choupo-Moting, Zirkzee, Musiala, Arrey-Mbi
Out: Davies (ankle), Kimmich (knee), Sarr (muscular), Süle (fitness), Tolisso (muscular)
Coach: Hansi Flick 

Salzburg: Stankovic - Kristensen, Ramalho, Wöber, Ulmer (c) - Mwepu (Ashimeru 71'), Camara, Junuzovic (Adeyemi 71'), Szoboszlai (Sucic 71') - Koita, Berisha
Unused subs: Coronel, Walke, Vallci, Onguene, Solet, Farkas
Out: Bernede (shin), Daka (hamstring), Diakite (knee), Diarra (knee), Okugawa (groin)
Coach: Jesse Marsch

As it happened!

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