CSKA Moscow vs. Bayern Munich: 6 Things We Learned
Bayern Munich set a Champions League record on Wednesday, beating CSKA Moscow 3-1 at the Khimki Arena to became the first team in the competition's history to win 10 consecutive games.
In frigid, wintry conditions, Pep Guardiola's side benefited from goals by Arjen Robben, Mario Goetze and a penalty from Thomas Mueller. CSKA pulled one back, thanks to Keisuke Honda's spot-kick on the hour mark, but Mueller's goal put the result beyond question.
The result saw Bayern qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League, having earned a perfect 15 points from five matches. CSKA are eliminated but remain on track to qualify for the Europa League.
Click "Begin Slideshow" for a look at the key talking points from Wednesday's action.
Thiago Settling into His Role
1 of 6
The beginning of Thiago Alcantara's career at Bayern was bumpy at best. Used out of position in a holding midfield role, the 22-year-old had a nightmare in the DFB-Superpokal against Dortmund, prompting Pep Guardiola to slap him across the face.
Not long after, the recent signing sustained an injury that kept him sidelined until recently.
Thiago's first minutes in months came against Dortmund over the weekend and he looked very bright in a 26-minute outing. He affirmed that Saturday was no fluke with a strong showing in 62 minutes off the bench in Moscow.
Many great players have struggled to adapt to life at a new club, especially if that club is in a different league. Many others have had difficulty due to injuries. Although it's still somewhat early to be conclusive, Thiago has in his 88 minutes passed all tests at Bayern.
He will be a key player at least until Bastian Schweinsteiger returns to action in January.
Bayern's Youngsters Will Be Tested in the Coming Weeks
2 of 6
A blight of injuries to their regular starters has left Bayern Munich with precious little depth. Pep Guardiola's bench on Wednedsay included teenage prospects Julian Green, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (both 18) and Mitchell Weiser (19).
Bayern's depth was diminished further over the course of Wednesday's match as Philipp Lahm suffered a muscular injury—if the 30-year-old has indeed sustained a tear, he could be sidelined until the winter break.
This means more opportunities for the Bayern youngsters who, having waited patiently all season long, now can expect to have a chance to shine on the big stage.
CKSA Can Be a Force in the Europa League
3 of 6
Barring any heroics from Viktoria Plzen, CSKA will finish third in Group D. Assuming they hold their position, the Russians will qualify for the knockout rounds of the Europa League. And they will be ready for the competition that awaits.
CSKA are stronger than their three points suggest; four losses against Bayern and Manchester City understate their quality. The hosts took the game to Bayern on Wednesday and were unfortunate not to have scored more.
They more than doubled their visitors' shot attempt tally and only inefficiency denied them a better result.
Moscow is a difficult place for any team to visit; with talented players such as Zoran Tosic and Igor Akinfeev in their squad, the Russians should favour their chances in the Europa League.
If Milan Want a Hero, Keisuke Honda May Not Be the Right Man
4 of 6
There have been few positives for Milan over the first half of the 2013-14 season and, until recently, one of those was the impending transfer of Keisuke Honda in January.
But before the Rossoneri faithful celebrate the Japan international's addition, they may want to have a close look at Honda's performance against Bayern.
Bayern were very susceptible on Wednesday, but the occasion got the better of Honda. The 27-year-old had all the time in the world to take on Manuel Neuer in a one-on-one and his indecisiveness allowed the goalkeeper to take the ball off his foot.
Moments later he missed a tap in from inside the six-yard box. He ought to have created more chances or at least converted one of his opportunities from free play: Bayern certainly gave him every opportunity to get his hat-trick.
To his credit, Honda later converted a penalty. But questions must be asked as to how much can be expected of him at the highest level. His abundant talent and skill aside, he's not yet played for a team with anywhere near the expectations of Milan.
Misses like those against Bayern will not be accepted in Milan.
Conditions in Russia Aren't Suitable...Especially at This Time of Year
5 of 6
Modern professional football has become more and more physically demanding for players.
The game has become faster and more physical. Schedules including three or more games in a week and "world tours" such as Manchester United's preseason in Asia and Spain's recent international matches visiting the likes of Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa, have added unnecessary strain.
And adding to the list is the scheduling of Champions League and Europa League games in near-Arctic conditions.
The temperature in Moscow at kick-off was -7 Celsius and falling at 9 p.m. local time. Both teams seemed to struggle to adapt to the conditions, even the hosts but especially the visitors.
Philipp Lahm was forced off in the first half with a muscular injury that in all likelihood was at least in part due to the cold and the untidy state of the pitch at the Khimki Arena.
Every host team has the right to home-field advantage, but there are some extremes that may be too much for players. For visitors accustomed to playing in much warmer weather to be expected to adapt overnight is unrealistic. And dangerous.
Bayern Remain the Team to Beat in the Champions League
6 of 6
Last season, Bayern Munich fully deserved to be called the best team in Europe. Their treble and particularly their dominance in the Champions League fully warranted their elite status.
By now, any questions of teething problems under new coach Pep Guardiola have been answered by results—even when they've struggled at times, they've been ruthless in front of goal and devastatingly effective in getting results.
Bayern are the only team in the Champions League with a perfect record. Group D is not exactly the Group of Death, but Manchester City are no pushovers and no team can consider a trip to Moscow in late November to be a walk in the park.
Other clubs among Europe's elite have all slipped from time to time, but Bayern keep grinding out result after result.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
