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Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 24, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Olympiacos

4-0

Costa (8'), Lewandowski (16'), Muller (20'), Coman (69')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Live Commentary: Bayern Munich 4-0 Olympiacos - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of the Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Olympiacos at the Allianz Arena.
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Bayern Munich have ensured that they will finish top in Group F in the Champions League after thrashing Olympiacos 4-0 at the Allianz Arena.

The German champions were 3-0 up less than 20 minutes into the tie following early goals from Douglas Costa, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller.

The hosts were dealt a blow after the break when Holger Badstuber was sent off for a last-man foul, but Kingsley Coman was able to add a fourth.

Read how all the action unfolded below.


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Good evening! The top two sides in Group F can secure their places in the knockout stage of the Champions League this evening as Bayern Munich host Olympiacos. Let's start with a look at the teams.

BAYERN MUNICH STARTING XI: Neuer, Rafinha, Boateng, Lahm, Badstuber, Costa, Vidal, Lewandowski, Robben, Muller, Coman

OLYMPIACOS STARTING XI: Roberto, Da Costa, Elabdellaoui, Siovas, Masuaku, Milivojevic, Kasami, Cambiasso, Pardo, Seba, Ideye

BAYERN MUNICH SUBSTITUTES: Ulreich, Benatia, Kirchhoff, Martinez, Alonso, Rode, Kimmich

OLYMPIACOS SUBSTITUTES: Kapino, Maniatis, Salino, Fortounis, Dominguez, Finnbogason, Hernani

For the home side, there are four changes to the side that secured a comfortable 3-1 win over Schalke in the Bundesliga at the weekend. Kingley Coman, Jerome Boateng, Rafinha and Holger Badstuber are all recalled, while David Alaba misses out with an ankle injury sustained at the weekend. Xavi Alonso, Javi Martinez and Medhi Benatia all drop to the bench.

The Greek champions didn't play at the weekend, but they have made three changes to the side that defeated Dinamo Zagreb in their last Champions League outing. Esteban Cambiasso is among the players coming into the starting XI for the visitors, making his 99th appearance in the competition.

Olympiacos's build up to this match has been far from ideal. As we mentioned below, they didn't play at the weekend. That was because crowd violence at the Athens derby between Olympiacos and Panathinikos resulted in their fixture being postponed. Alfred Finnbogason, who starts on the bench this evening, was struck by a flare at the game.

Ahead of this match, Bayern manager Pep Guardiola told reporters: "We know how strong Olympiacos are. They play good football. This game is a bit like a final for us. We can qualify for the next round as the top side in the group [if we win]. They will not allow us much space, especially in front of their goal. Their wingers are very quick and they have some tall players too. We have to take the right decisions and we obviously want to score as early as possible."

Meanwhile, Olympiacos coach Marco Silva said at his pre-match press conference: "We arrive here with the same feelings that we had when we arrived in London [to face Arsenal on matchday two]. But Bayern are a stronger team than Arsenal – perhaps the strongest team in the world. Bayern were always group favourites but no one would have guessed that we'd be second after four games. We will fight right until the end and try to get something here in Munich."

Bayern and Olympiacos both have nine points from their opening four matches of the campaign. Arsenal and Dinamo Zagreb, the other two sides in the group, are both six points adrift, who have to win their remaining fixtures and hope one of these two sides loses both of their match to close the gap. At least one of these two sides will be going through as a result of tonight's match though.

Here's Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer going through his warmup a little earlier:


PREDICTION! The players are starting to gather in the tunnel ready for kickoff, so there's just time for a quick prediction. Although a draw does suit both sides, Bayern are unlikely to sit back, particularly as they have named such a strong side and are in front of their own fans. Knowing that a win will secure them top place in the group, the German champions should be pushing for the win, so I'm going for a 3-1 win to the hosts.

The players make their way out ready for kickoff. As ever, it's packed at the Allianz Arena, with few seats still empty as kickoff nears. Don't forget, you can follow coverage of all six matches taking place this evening. Find the links on our fixture page.

KICKOFF! The home side get the match underway.

Teenager Kingsley Coman tries to get involved early on for the home side, making a run down the right, but Estaban Cambiasso is back to block the midfielder's run. Robben and Muller also have early touches for Bayern, and Pep Guardiola shouts from the sidelines, encouraging his side to get on the front foot early on.

Bayern continue to dominate the possession in the early minutes on this match, with Badstuber blasting the ball out from the back to Robben. The Dutchman tees the ball up for Lewandowski, who knocks it down to the arriving Douglas Costa, but his swerving shot curls wide. It wouldn't have counted anyway though, as Lewandowski was offside when Robben played him in.

Olympiacos make a break, with Kasami playing the ball through the middle before slicing it out wide to Elabdellaoui, who makes a brilliant run before sending in a low cross for Seba, but the summer signing couldn't get the shot away. That will be a cause for concern for Bayern, the visitors saw nothing of the ball in the first five minutes, but took just a couple of good passes to get into a dangerous position.

GOAL! Bayern Munich 1-0 Olympiacos (Douglas Costa)

Jerome Boateng comes out from the back, and unleashes a curling shot from 20 yards out. Roberto Gago makes a diving save to deny to defender, but parries the ball straight into the path of Douglas Costa, leaving the Brazilian with a simple finish for his second Champions League goal of the campaign.

Olympiacos press down the other end looking for a quick equaliser, but Badstuber failing to close down Brown Ideye, but Neuer was off his line quickly to clear the danger.

CHANCE! Arjen Robben works the ball forward for the home side before laying it off to Thomas Muller, but the German international's effort is deflected just wide for a corner, which Olympiacos quickly clear.

Costa is really making his presence felt in the early stages of this match as he throws himself forward again, passing the ball to Coman, but the teen's cross fails to connect with Lewandowski in the penalty area.

GOAL! Bayern Munich 2-0 Olympiacos (Robert Lewandowski)

Robert Lewandowski makes it look so easy as it weaves inside to leave himself wide open on the edge of the box, cleanly sweeping a pass from Kinglsey Coman into the back of the net to double the home side's lead.

GOAL! Bayern Munich 3-0 Olympiacos (Thomas Muller)

Just 20 minutes into this tie, it's surely already game over as Lahm crosses the ball in for Coman, who scuffs his shot, but Robben is in the right place to nod it back in for Thomas Muller to tap in for a fifth goal in as many appearances in the Champions League this season.

A win for Bayern Munich will be good news for Arsenal, as the Gunners play Olympiacos on the final matchday of the group stage. They still need to beat Dinamo Zagreb this evening though, and it's still 0-0 at the moment.

Since Muller's goal, Olympiacos have started to see a little more of the ball, but they have to be patient to work the ball into Bayern's half, before Kasami attempts to fire a through-ball into the box for Ideye, but Lahm is there to make the block.

CHANCE! It's a rare miss from Robert Lewandowski as Douglas Costa picks the Polish international out with a wonderful high ball, but the striker, hampered by some close marking from Manuel Da Costa, slices the ball inches wide of the left post.

CHANCE! Bayern are continuing to ask questions of the visiting defence as Lewandowski slides the ball through to Muller, but he can't keep his finish on target, scuffing just wide.

Olympiacos are desperately trying to keep hold of the ball to try to give themselves a slight chance of getting back into this match, but it's just not happening for them. Kasami makes a promising looking run, but a sloppy pass forward hands possession straight back to the hosts.

Bayern on bearing down on the Olympiacos penalty area again, with Rafinha squaring the ball to Vidal, who attempts to set up Muller, but overhits his delivery, allowing the visitors to race back down the other end.

SUB! Arjen Robben hasn't been moving too well since taking a heavy landing while battling for the ball on the wing a few minutes ago. He manages to job off easily enough, but the German champions don't need to risk him, so Joshua Kimmich takes his place. He really didn't seem to be too hampered, but at 3-0 up it's a good time to give the young midfielder a run out.

CHANCE! Kinglsey Coman has moved over to the right following Robben's withdrawal, and he makes his presence felt on the opposite flank with a cross for Muller, who then flicks it back to the 19-year-old, but his low strike it just deflected behind. Bayern really could be 5-0 or 6-0 up at this stage.

CHANCE! Kimmich gets his first sight of goal since coming off the bench, benefiting from another Coman-led move, but the finishing touch is lacking, as he weakly fires the ball over from the edge of the penalty area.

Bayern might have to make another change before the break as Muller has been left limping following a collision with Arthur Masuaku. It looks like he's trying to run it off, but he really doesn't look comfortable.

Bayern are hunting a fourth as half time approaches, with Boateng picking out Coman with a long ball before, before Vidal and Costa look to get a shot away from the edge of the box, but Siovas manages to hook the ball clear for the visitors.

BOOKING! Olympiacos quickly counter-attack, forcing a reckless challenge from Jerome Boateng on Seba on the edge of the box, earning the defender a yellow card.

CHANCE! As a result of Boateng's challenge, the visitors have a free kick in a dangerous position, which Ideye drives in, but a flick on from Luke Milivojevic takes the ball wide.

With just a minute of stoppage time to come, Ideye charges forward again, but Rafinha manages to take the ball away from him, squaring it in for Neuer to deal with. It's been a pretty quiet first 45 minutes for the Bayern keeper so far.

HALF TIME: Bayern Munich 3-0 Olympiacos

A ferocious start from Bayern Munich ensures that they head into half time with a commanding 3-0 lead, all-but guaranteeing they will clinch top spot in Group F this evening. The visitors' really haven't created that much, and are lucky not to have fallen further behind as a couple of Bayern efforts have narrowly missed the target.

In the first half, Bayern dominated possession, with 75% of the ball. They also created three times as many shots as the Greek side, with 12 to Olympiacos's four. The visitors are yet to test Neuer, while four of Bayern's efforts were on target, including the three goals.

Pep Guardiola will be concerned about his side's fitness though, having already taken off Arjen Robben with a knock. Thomas Muller has also been limping after a heavy collision with an Olympiacos defender. With such a comfortable lead, the manager does have the luxury of not having to risk his players, and with Javi Martinez and Xabi Alonso both on the bench, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Muller make way early in the second half if he's not 100% fit.

UPDATE: In the other match in this group, Arsenal have headed into half time 2-0 up. If these two matches ended now, Olympiacos would still need to avoid defeat to the Gunners in their final match of the group stage to ensure they progress to the last 16.

The players are starting to make their way back out ready for the start of the second half.

RESTART! Olympiacos get the action back underway.

The home side force a free right on the edge of the penalty area just moments after the restart, as Coman is pulled back by Masuaku on the right-hand side of the area. Vidal takes it, cutting it back for Kimmich arriving on the edge of the area, but his low strike was blocked in a crowded penalty area. It was a decent effort from the substitute though.

As they did in the first half, Bayern are dominating possession again, with Coman continuing his impressive display so far this evening with a couple more runs from midfield, but Olympiacos are clearly trying to keep things tighter at the back at the start of this second half.

RED CARD! Holger Badstuber

The Bayern Munich defender's first start since April ends with an early shower for a last-man foul on Brown Ideye just outside the penalty area. Looking at the replays though, Ideye makes the most of it, but from the referee's angle he didn't have much choice but the send Badstuber off.

Masuaku tries to smash the ball in from the resulting free kick, but it's a shocking effort, looping well high of the goal. Olympiacos will be optimistic that they can get something from this match now though, as they've got 35 minutes against then 10-man home side.

SUB! Robert Lewandowski is being sacrificed as a result of the sending off, with Medhi Benatia coming on to reinforce the defence.

CHANCE! Siovas trips Kimmich down the other end, giving the home side a free kick around 30 yards out. Douglas Costa unleashes a rocket from his left foot, but it just misses, ending up in the side netting. Bayern will be happy to remind Olympiacos that they can still cause problems though, despite being a man short.

CHANCE! Costa is through on goal with only the keeper to beat. He tries to lob Roberto, but the Olympiacos stopper is ready for it, comfortably punching it away.

CHANCE! Olympiacos quickly press back down the other end as they try to cut Bayern's lead, with Cambiasso keeping the ball in play before crossing to Ideye, but the former West Brom man scuffs his finish over.

BOOKING! Luka Milivojevic catches Thomas Muller late, earning himself a first booking of the night for Olympiacos.

Despite the red card, Bayern are still dominating possession, with Lahm, Rafinha and Boateng working to hold the ball up at the back, before Kimmich makes a run through the middle. A cross into the box is seemingly dealt with by Masuaku, but the defender's header back worried the keeper, forcing him to scramble it clear.

SUBS! Olympiacos make changes for the first time this evening, sending Konstantinos Fortounis on in place of Pajtim Kasami, while Hernani replaces Felipe Pardo.

GOAL! Bayern Munich 4-0 Olympiacos (Kingsley Coman)

It's brave stuff from Kingsley Coman as he heads in his first European goal. Muller flicks it on for the 19-year-old, who rises high to nod into the bottom corner, despite Roberto rushing out to meet him. The two collide, leaving Coman with a bloodied nose, but once he gets back to his feet he seems happy with his goal.

SUB! Bayern make their final change as Douglas Costa heads off to be replaced by Javi Martinez.

Bayern look like they're pressing to increase their lead further, as Muller gets the ball out wide before crossing in towards Vidal, but it's cleared by the visitors.

Muller and Lahm link up down the right, before working the ball across the middle to Coman out the other side, but Rafinha can't get the cross in. Olympiacos briefly showed more intent following Badstuber's dismissal, but they've really fizzled out in the last 10 minutes, allowing Bayern to cruise towards an emphatic win.

SUB! Olympiacos make their final change as Omas Elabdellaoui is replaced by Leandro Salino.

Olympiacos are just trying to keep hold of the ball at the moment, with Siovas and Fortounis passing the ball around at the back, before Salino tries to bring it forward. Manuel Neuer really hasn't been tested this evening, and he isn't now as the cross is dealt with before it reaches the keeper.

Masuaku eventually gets a shot away from the edge of the penalty area for the visitors, but it's nothing for Neuer to worry about. Bayern finally seem to be willing to settle, as they've dropped a lot deeper in the last couple of minutes, knowing that they're just a few minutes away from sealing top spot in Group F and a place in the knockout stage of the competition.

Coman has put in a mighty shift this evening, but he's got enough left for another blistering run forward, crossing in from the left for Muller, but the scorer of Bayern's third goal can't quite control it.

CHANCE! Just moments after the Coman cross almost sets Muller up, Kimmich brings a long ball forward down on the edge of the area before attempting to drive the ball into the bottom corner, but Roberto parries it clear, before Siovas boots it away from danger for the visitors.

Muller is finishing really strongly, making another run into the box before trying to set up Lahm, who gets a poor first touch, before attempting to fire in the fifth himself a few moments later, only to be beaten to the ball by Roberto.

There are just two minutes of stoppage time to come at the Allianz Arena.

OFF THE POST! Muller is through again, beating Masuaku for pace after picking up a flick on from Kimmich, but he's denied a second by the woodwork.

FULL TIME: Bayern Munich 4-0 Olympiacos

Bayern Munich secure their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League and will finish as Group F winners thanks to an emphatic win over Olympiacos. The Greek side really stood no chance after letting in three inside the opening 20 minutes, but still struggled against the 10 men of Bayern after the break, allowing Kingsley Coman to add a fourth.

Olympiacos's destiny is still in their own hands, as they will still finish second in the group as long as they avoid defeat to Arsenal in their final match of the group stage.

Well, that's all from this match, but stick around to read match reports from all of this evening's Champions League matches, and join us again tomorrow for more action from Europe's top club competition. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.

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