German giants Bayern Munich made short work of Red Bull Salzburg to seal their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
A first-half hat-trick by Polish striker Robert Lewandowski set the stage for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich to defeat Red Bull Salzburg, securing their spot in the last eight of the UEFA Champions League.
The two sides went into the tie on the back of a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Bayern looked much improved on the night and showed no mercy in exerting their dominance. It took just 22 minutes for the game to be considered a dead rubber at the Allianz Arena.
Lewandowski opened the scoring from the spot in the 12th minute, before scoring another penalty in the 21st minute. He grabbed his third of the night two minutes later to register an 11-minute hat-trick. Serge Gnabry then scored in the 31st minute to send Die Roten four goals up at the break.
Despite the healthy lead, Bayern did not take the foot off the pedal in the second half and kept the pressure on Salzburg. Maurits Kjaergaard grabbed a consolation for the visitors in the 70th minute, but Bayern were far from done. Thomas Muller grabbed his side’s fifth goal in the 54th minute and doubled his tally in the 83rd minute. Leroy Sane rounded off the win nicely two minutes later. The Hard Tackle looks at how the Bayern Munich players fared on the night.
20 – Bayern München have qualified for the #UCL quarter-final for a 20th time; no other club has reached the final eight as often (Barcelona 18). Regulars. #FCBSAL pic.twitter.com/ZSY4ZrXvaN
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) March 8, 2022
Manuel Neuer: 6/10
The veteran had little to do all night but was impressive with his distribution. There was nothing he could do to stop Salzburg’s consolation strike.
Benjamin Pavard: 5/10
The Frenchman was suspect defensively and did not stand out on the night. Thankfully for him, Salzburg were on the back foot all game and did not threaten him much. Pavard also went close to scoring at the other end with a header that went just wide in the 39th minute.
Niklas Sule: 6/10
The German international enjoyed a rather straightforward night and had little to do. He was comfortable in dealing with whatever little Salzburg threw his way.
Lucas Hernandez: 6/10
The French international was a constant outlet on the left and got forward well. He lasted an hour before being taken off for Dayot Upamecano. A solid, if rather unremarkable display.
Serge Gnabry: 6/10
The winger will breathe a sigh of relief after scoring his first goal for Bayern since January. Getting the monkey off the back will aid him in the games to come. He was taken off at half-time for Bouna Sarr, perhaps with an eye on the games to come.
Joshua Kimmich: 7/10
The German midfielder was at his reliable best, breaking up plays and orchestrating his team’s attacks from deep. He formed an excellent double-pivot with Jamal Musiala and did not put a foot wrong all night.
Jamal Musiala: 6/10
It was a tidy if unspectacular performance by the youngster who kept things simple in the middle of the pitch. He kept the ball ticking and was always available for a pass. Musiala made way for Marc Roca in the 66th minute.
What an evening ??? Next round ✔️ pic.twitter.com/A9zdkgNTd1
— Jamal Musiala (@JamalMusiala) March 8, 2022
Kingsley Coman: 8/10
The Frenchman was an electric presence on the right flank and caused Salzburg several issues with his pace and directness. He grabbed an assist for Gnabry’s goal and presented Pavard with a teasing opportunity to score on the night. Coman was taken off for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the 66th minute.
Thomas Muller: 9/10
The veteran linked up well with Lewandowski all night and showcased just why he has had a glittering career that has spanned a decade. His deft touches and awareness kept him a step ahead of the Salzburg defence. Muller scored two goals on the night but could have had more if he was a little more clinical.
Robert Lewandowski: 10/10
A sensational performance by the striker who all but ended the tie in the 23rd minute. He won both penalties, dispatched them without a fuss, and linked up well with Muller and Leroy Sane. Lewandowski could have had a fourth in the first half, but saw the opportunity go begging. A clinical performance by arguably the best striker on the planet today.
23 – Robert Lewandowski has completed a hat-trick within 23 minutes against FC RB Salzburg tonight; the earliest treble ever scored by a player in UEFA Champions League history from the start of a match, overtaking Marco Simone for Milan v Rosenborg in 1996 (24 mins). Snappy. pic.twitter.com/aVNNmGdgVV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 8, 2022
Leroy Sane: 9/10
The former Manchester City man was a real livewire on the night and excelled with his attacking contributions. He grabbed himself a late goal and provided two assists in a performance that was a joy to watch. Sane’s performance will excite fans as Bayern enter the season’s business end.
Substitutes
Bouna Sarr: 5/10
He did well enough, but did not have any standout moments.
Dayot Upamecano: 6/10
Upamecano came on for Hernandez at the hour mark and had little to do defensively. Bayern conceded with him on the field, but he had little to do otherwise.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: 6/10
A decent run out for a player brought on with the game all but settled.
Tanguy Nianzou: 5/10
He replaced Sule in the 66th minute and should have anticipated the danger leading to Salzburg’s consolation.
Marc Roca: 6/10
He replaced Musiala in the 66th minute and kept things tidy in midfield.
