Skip to main content

Bayern batters City in Champions League

October 2, 2013 -- Updated 2218 GMT (0618 HKT)
Franck Ribery opened the scoring for Bayern Munich in its victory at Manchester City.
Franck Ribery opened the scoring for Bayern Munich in its victory at Manchester City.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Bayern Munich cruises to victory over Manchester City
  • Manchester United held in Ukraine by Shakhtar Donetsk
  • Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain both triumph
  • Juventus held at home by Galatasaray

(CNN) -- Arjen Robben said it all -- "We didn't expect an easy game like that."

Robben could have been forgiven for expecting more of a challenge from one of the most expensively assembled teams in European football.

But the Dutchman will not lose too much sleep over the way Manchester City capitulated against a Bayern Munich which simply oozed class.

Bayern, which won the European Champions League last year, claimed a 3-1 win -- a result which flattered City for the most part.

Easy

The business behind the World Cup
Qatar 2022: Too hot for football?
Eto'o: Money doesn't motivate me

"The first 70 minutes we played some terrific football," Robben told Sky Sports.

"We were so dominant against a big team in Europe. We didn't expect an easy game like that.

"It is a compliment to our team but we expected more from City. We didn't give them any space, we pressed them right up to the goalkeeper and they just kicked it away. Sometimes they gave us too much space and we used space well."

City's disastrous flirtation with the Champions League was supposed to end with the arrival of new manager Manuel Pellegrini.

It has failed to make it past the group stage in its two previous attempts and it faces a challenge once more.

Make no mistake about it -- if this was a boxing contest then the referee would have brought this bout to a halt at halftime.

Bayern, which is highly fancied to successfully defend its title this year, produced a level of performance which City could only dream of.

From the moment Franck Ribery's drive somehow flew through the grasp of City's goalkeeper Joe Hart, Bayern was rampant.

City, which was beaten by Aston Villa in the Premier League at the weekend, looked off the pace and unable to keep up with their opponent.

That Bayern managed to score just once in the opening 45 minutes was the only surprise -- but it soon made sure of victory with the help of some inept City defending.

Behold the "Zlatan burger", a mountain of meat dedicated to Paris Saint-Germain's star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The $41 monster is the brainchild of French cafe manager Jean-Philippe Grandin. Behold the "Zlatan burger", a mountain of meat dedicated to Paris Saint-Germain's star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The $41 monster is the brainchild of French cafe manager Jean-Philippe Grandin.
'Le Zlatan'
HIDE CAPTION
<<
<
1
2
3
4
5
>
>>
The Zlatan Ibrahimovic burger The Zlatan Ibrahimovic burger
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was the focus of a 2012 Harvard Business School study on leadership. According to author and management consultant, Mike Carson, those in business can learn much from analyzing the work of successful football coaches like Ferguson. Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was the focus of a 2012 Harvard Business School study on leadership. According to author and management consultant, Mike Carson, those in business can learn much from analyzing the work of successful football coaches like Ferguson.
Learning from football's leaders
HIDE CAPTION
<<
<
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
>
>>
What can football managers teach you about leadership? What can football managers teach you about leadership?
In 2011, Anton Hysen became only the second active footballer to come out as being gay -- more than 20 years after Justin Fashanu did so. While Fashanu was a high-profile star in England, Hysen plays in Sweden's lower leagues. In 2011, Anton Hysen became only the second active footballer to come out as being gay -- more than 20 years after Justin Fashanu did so. While Fashanu was a high-profile star in England, Hysen plays in Sweden's lower leagues.
Coming out
HIDE CAPTION
<<
<
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
>
>>
Gay sports stars Gay sports stars

Gael Clichy was the guilty party on this occasion, failing to track the run of Thomas Muller, who was afforded the freedom of the penalty area before firing past the stranded Hart.

City was stunned and Robben added a third just four minutes later after unleashing a rasping effort which beat Hart at the near post.

To its credit, Pellegrini's team did offer a response with substitute Alvaro Negredo curling home a delightful effort with 11 minutes of the contest remaining.

City sensed an unlikely comeback with four minutes to go when Jerome Boateng was shown a straight red card after taking out former teammate Yaya Toure.

Champions

David Silva curled the free kick against the crossbar but Bayern negotiated the final few minutes to record an emphatic victory.

"We knew they were a really good team and they showed that. That is why they are champions," City defender Micah Ricahrds told Sky Sports.

"They didn't play with a striker and there was so much movement. It felt like they had an extra man and I wish them all the best.

"Hopefully we can now improve. We tried, there were some tired legs out there but we can do better than that."

Istanbul derby ends in violence
HIDE CAPTION
<<
<
1
2
3
4
5
6
>
>>
Istanbul derby ends in violence Istanbul derby ends in violence
Sergio Aguero (left) celebrates with Alvaro Negredo (center) and Samir Nasri after scoring Manchester City's third goal against Manchester United and his second of the match. Sergio Aguero (left) celebrates with Alvaro Negredo (center) and Samir Nasri after scoring Manchester City's third goal against Manchester United and his second of the match.
Derby joy for Manchester City
HIDE CAPTION
<<
<
1
2
3
4
5
6
>
>>
Derby joy for Manchester City Derby joy for Manchester City
Jose Mourinho is still getting to grips with his team's playing style following his return to Chelsea, where he won two English Premier League titles at the start of his 2004-07 tenure. Jose Mourinho is still getting to grips with his team's playing style following his return to Chelsea, where he won two English Premier League titles at the start of his 2004-07 tenure.
Win relieves pressure on Mourinho
HIDE CAPTION
<<
<
1
2
3
>
>>
Win relieves pressure on Mourinho Win relieves pressure on Mourinho

In the group's other game, CSKA Moscow overcame Viktoria Plzen 3-2 to move level on points with City.

United

Manchester United was forced to settle for a point in Ukraine after it squandered the advantage to finish 1-1 at Shakhtar Donetsk.

Danny Welbeck gave United a first half lead but the home side equalized through Taison with 14 minutes remaining.

Ryan Giggs made his 145th Champions League appearance to set a new competition record but he failed to find a way to inspire United to victory.

"The team stood up well tonight," United boss David Moyes told Sky Sports.

"We got a good goal early doors. It looked like we would have stopped them from scoring until the goal.

"We said at half time we had to keep the ball better. I'm disappointed we didn't pass it better. If we got the second goal from Robin [Van Persie] we would have seen it out."

Welbeck

United has suffered its worst start to a Premier League season in 24 years and was beaten at home by West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

But goalscorer Welbeck was encouraged by his side's latest display.

"In the end it was a decent result," he said.

"We got the goal early. They then got a goal and that's the disappointing part. I don't think many teams come here and get three points -- we would have liked to have got three points."

Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen secured a 2-1 home win over Real Sociedad thanks to a last minute strike from Jens Hegeler.

Simon Rolfes had given the German side the lead on the stroke of halftime before Carlos Vela equalized for Sociedad.

Real

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid eased to a 4-0 win over FC Copenhagen to make it two wins out of two.

Angel Di Maria also netted twice as Real moved four points clear at the top of Group B.

That's because Juventus was held to a 2-2 draw by Galatasaray in Turin.

The home side had looked set for victory after goals from Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella had canceled out Didier Drogba's opener.

But Roberto Mancini's side claimed a dramatic equalizer late on when Umut Bulhut fired home.

Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice and Marquinhos grabbed the other as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Benfica 3-0.

The French side have won both of its opening two group games and sits three points clear of Olympiakos in second, which won 3-0 at Anderlecht.

The night belonged to Olympiakos star Kostas Mitroglou who became the first Greek to score a hat-trick in the Champions League.

ADVERTISEMENT
Part of complete coverage on
CNN Football Club
Be part of CNN's coverage of European Champions League matches and join the social debate.
FIFA's credibility rides on finding a solution to the Qatar World Cup controversy, says CNN's Ben Wyatt.
October 2, 2013 -- Updated 1534 GMT (2334 HKT)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have cost Paris Saint-Germain $30 million, but you can get your own chunk of the Swedish striker for just $41.
September 27, 2013 -- Updated 1005 GMT (1805 HKT)
Anton Hysen is a football player. He is also gay. "We can run, we can play, we can score. So what's the problem?" he says.
September 20, 2013 -- Updated 1602 GMT (0002 HKT)
Did Chelsea make the wrong move in reappointing Jose Mourinho as manager? Or is it okay to get back with an ex?
Tottenham's chairman played the European transfer market with all the strategic flair of a chess Grandmaster, says CNN's Don Riddell.
As managers moan about the problems presented by the transfer window, CNN's Ben Wyatt seeks a better option.
When the English Premier League kicks off this weekend all eyes will be on Alex Ferguson's successor, says CNN's Ben Wyatt.
August 9, 2013 -- Updated 1423 GMT (2223 HKT)
While those about him have lost their heads, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has been a model of consistency.
August 9, 2013 -- Updated 1117 GMT (1917 HKT)
"We are women and we have to be proud of that," Brazil star Marta tells CNN's "An Uneven Playing Field" documentary.
August 2, 2013 -- Updated 1108 GMT (1908 HKT)
Tottenham Hotspurs' Gareth Bale was also named Player of the Year in 2011.
The sun is shining, barbecues are out, beaches are packed. It can mean only one thing: football's summer transfer window is upon us.
Portrait of Nottingham Forest Manager Brian Clough.
CNN's John Sinnott examines the complex relationship between football managers and their number twos.
July 4, 2013 -- Updated 1326 GMT (2126 HKT)
US graffiti artist Jonone performs a painting on a Rolls Royce car owned by former French football player turned actor Eric Cantona during the TV show 'Le grand journal' on a set of French TV Canal+, on November 22, 2012 in Paris during the launching of French charity association Abbe Pierre Foundation's winter campaign.
Fast cars, fast women and fast on their way to court -- it would seem some footballers are renowned for flouting the rules when it comes to the need to speed.
July 24, 2013 -- Updated 1519 GMT (2319 HKT)
Neymar of Brazil celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group A match between Brazil and Mexico at Castelao on June 19, 2013 in Fortaleza, Brazil.
Brazil's 3-0 win over Spain in the Confederations Cup final brought to an end an event that was designed as a test run for the 2014 World Cup hosts.
June 19, 2013 -- Updated 1231 GMT (2031 HKT)
In Brazil many believe the World Cup has seen the rich line their pockets, while the poor make do with crumbling public services.
July 24, 2013 -- Updated 1507 GMT (2307 HKT)
Women wanted him. Men wanted to be him. But for all Heleno's star quality, he had a tragic end.
NN World Sport examines why racism continues to be a problem in football and what is being done to tackle discrimination.
ADVERTISEMENT