An Arjen Robben brace along with goals from Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller have given a stunning Bayern Munich side a 5-0 lead over AS Roma in the Group E Champions League clash at the Stade Olimpico in Italy.
After eight minutes, the match looked like it could be a good one. Then, the punishment began. The first wound was inflicted by Arjen Robben, who curled in from a tight angle. In the 23rd, Gotze doubled the lead through a stunning give-and-go with Muller.
Two minutes later and Lewandowski got in on the action, heading home a beautiful curling pass from the left wing. On the half-hour, Robben made it four as he burst forward and beat Morgan De Sanctis with a near-post drive.
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The referee showed no remorse for Roma’s cause as Konstantinos Manolas went to ground to block David Alaba’s cross in the 36 minute but was whistled for handling. Up to the spot stepped Muller, and it was 5-0.
It’s an absolute shellacking going into half-time, reminiscent of Germany’s thrashing of Brazil in the World Cup. And there’s still 45 minutes to play.
LINEUPS
Roma: De Sanctis; Torosidis, Manolas, Mapou, Cole; Pjanic, De Rossi, Nainggolan; Iturbe, Totti, Gervinho
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Bernat, Boateng, Benatia, Alaba; Alonso, , Robben Lahm (C), Götze; Müller, Lewandowski