Sparkling Bayern beat Roma 2-0 to book last-16 spot
(Agencies) Updated: 2014-11-06 09:58
 |
|
Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery kicks the ball during their Champions League Group E second leg soccer match against AS Roma in Munich November 5, 2014. [Photo/Agencies] |
MUNICH - Five-time winners Bayern Munich eased past AS Roma 2-0 with goals from Franck Ribery and Mario Goetze on Wednesday to advance to the Champions League knockout stage as Group E winners with two games to spare.
Frenchman Ribery slotted in seven minutes before the break and Goetze volleyed in midway through the second half as the impressive Bavarians notched their fourth win in four matches to become the first German team to secure a group win that early.
Undefeated in the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup this season, Bayern are in top spot on 12 points with two games left to play and have now firmly established themselves as one of the favourites for the title they last won in 2013.
"I am satisfied with the way we played tonight," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola told reporters. "I am happy to have these players, they are always eager and ready to play."
"Roma didn't want to suffer again so they played very defensive, with six defenders. But we were dominant, especially in the second half."
Roma, desperate to avoid a repeat of their 7-1 home demolition by Bayern this month, piled bodies into defence and kept pace for almost the entire first half but were eventually outclassed and stayed in second place on four points.
"We are aware that Bayern are a few steps ahead of us right now so we tried to adapt," said Roma coach Rudi Garcia.
"They are a very strong side and they proved it once again. We had a good tactical and mental approach to the game. I think we cancelled the bad image of the game in Rome."
Nine-man Manchester City slumped to a 2-1 loss to CSKA Moscow to stay in last place on two and the Russian are third, also on four.
"We knew it would not be that easy as in the first game," said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm.
"They were very defensive, a six-man defence and it 's difficult to create chances like that. But we controlled the game throughout and managed to score at the right time."
"It's November we still have things to do and being in all three competitions is a good position to be in."
