Sané picks "Lisbon Lock" as Bayern roll to another big win
It took some time for FC Bayern München to score the opening goal against Benfica Lisbon at the Stadio da Luz on Wednesday night. Once Leroy Sané smashed home the opener, however, three more tallies were quick to follow.
Bayern remain undefeated through three 2021/22 UEFA Champions League group stage fixtures, having blanked their opponents by a combined 12-0 scoreline.
Bayern remain undefeated through three 2021/22 UEFA Champions League group stage fixtures, having blanked their opponents by a combined 12-0 scoreline.
| Leroy Sané. | Photo: Granada, CC-by-SA 4.0 |
Visiting Bayern not only had to do without midfielder Leon Goretzka (out with a cold), but also trainer Julian Nagelsmann. The FCB head coach also came down with a non-corona-related infection and opted to watch the game from his hotel room. Marcel Sabitzer took Goretzka's place in the starting XI. Kinglsey Coman also made his return to the starting XI following minor heart surgery last month. Lucas Hernandez--his legal problems delayed for now--started at left-back.
One way traffic in favor of the German guests left little doubt as to which team was more eager in the opening quarter of an hour. Leroy Sané and Robert Leandowski were clear though on goal early, but were adjudged to be offside during their scoring chances. The Portuguese hosts weren't able to manage much going forward, but did force Manuel Neuer into a sprawl save in the 33rd. Other than that, most of the opportunities belonged to the Bavarians.
A Lewandowski goal in the 42nd minute was disallowed after a VAR review. The Polish striker threw his shoulder in to finish off a Joshua Kimmich short service, but the ball ended up bouncing in off his bicep. On the other side of the break, Benjamin Pavard saw a tracer bullet deflected of Benfica keeper Odysseas Vlachodmos' foot to carom off the post. Thomas Müller then had a goal disallowed five minutes later after replays confirmed Kingsley Coman was well offside in the lead up.
Just when it appeared as if Bayern were beginning to look a bit snake-bit, Sané delivered a free-kick masterstroke from 20 meters out. The German national team winger smashed in a tomahawk over the wall and into the far corner with plenty of top-spin. Sané's opener served to open the floodgates. Benfica's "Everton" turned a cutback from substitute Serge Ganbry into his own net in the 82nd.
Sané then set up Lewandowski for a third goal in the 84th. Sané would complete a brace in the 86th, set up by the subbed on Josip Stanisic for Bayern's fourth goal. With nine points atop the group, Bayern aren't officially through to the UCL knockouts just yet. Such a big win over second place Benfica nevertheless practically guarantees passage.