CSKA Moscow vs. Bayern Munich: Score, Grades and Reaction from Champions League

An uncharacteristically subdued Bayern Munich had Thomas Muller’s early penalty to thank as they made it two wins from two in the Champions League this season with a 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow.

Perhaps affected by the empty stands in Moscow, the result of a stadium ban imposed on CSKA due to racist chanting in last season’s competition, Pep Guardiola’s side were not at their efficient best for much of the game, with the early penalty ultimately the difference as they strengthened their grip on the fledgling Group E standings.

Bayern had chances throughout the contest to extend their lead and secure the three points with a greater ease but they also rode their luck on occasions, with Manuel Neuer called into action more than once to preserve the clean sheet.

As it was, one mistake decided the contest. Mario Gotze attempted to slip into the box and was bundled over clumsily by Brazilian defender Mario Fernandes, with the referee adjudging the foul to have come just inside the box.

Muller took responsibility for the penalty—not striker Robert Lewandowski—and, despite slipping during his run-up, beat Igor Akinfeev calmly with a side-footed finish.

From there Bayern were always in control of proceedings, although Gotze and Arjen Robben were among those unable to add to the scoreline despite creating chances in dangerous positions.

Afterwards, Muller said (per UEFA.com):

"

It was not easy for us, but it was important that we led 1-0. In the course of the game we had the chance to score further goals. But Moscow were dangerous on the counterattack. But we are going home very satisfied. We got the three points.

I have a special technique for taking penalties. But, as long as it goes in it doesn't really matter.

"

It was an odd atmosphere for Tuesday’s early kick-off, with much of the Arena Khimki empty due to the UEFA sanctions imposed following racist chanting in last season’s group stages. The lack of crowd interaction seemed to affect both sides, as they struggled for a rhythm throughout.

The early exchanges saw a couple of half-chances for both sides, with Arjen Robben and Xabi Alonso testing Akinfeev early on, and Roman Eremenko scaring Neuer with a speculative effort that drifted only narrowly over the crossbar.

The game’s defining moment came in the 22nd minute, as Fernandes made the rash decision to try and challenge Gotze. Muller exacted full revenge for the mistake, sliding Bayern into a lead that many would have expected them to extend over the remaining 70 minutes.

Instead, CSKA seemed to grow in confidence and intention, pushing forward with renewed vigour after Lewandowski (who had a quiet evening) saw a strike correctly disallowed for offside. Eremenko twice threatened Neuer’s goal—one attempt swinging well wide, the other clipping the crossbar as the German dived desperately—before Ahmed Musa saw the best chance of the match denied by the goalkeeper.

The Nigerian showed great pace and control to round Mehdi Benatia, but his shot was easy for Neuer to palm away. The rebound eventually fell to Zoran Tosic, but the former Manchester United winger skewed his attempt well wide.

For CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky it felt like a crucial miss, and his team were nearly punished before the break as both Lewandowski and Gotze wasted great chances from close range.

Ivan Sekretarev/Associated Press

The second half was an even less inspired affair, with Bayern focusing on keeping tight at the back and daring CSKA to pick them apart. That the hosts were unable to do, as the German champions created all of the best openings prior to the final whistle. Unfortunately, none of them found the back of the net.

The one chance CSKA manufactured was again through Musa; the striker taking advantage from a lapse in concentration from David Alaba to bear down on goal, before seeing his shot deflected away from goal again.

Both sides made changes in the closing stages, but neither made a decisive impact. Gotze missed from the edge of the box with an off-balance strike, before Robben and substitute Xherdan Shaqiri both squandered great openings.

Nevertheless, after a nervy first half the Germans never really looked like scoring in the second, as Bayern held on efficiently to secure another three points in the competition.

Guardiola will have concerns about his defensive unit, especially with tests against bigger sides to come, and will wonder where the attacking fluidity that has been a hallmark of the side for so long has gone in recent times.

On the other hand, a 100 percent record from the opening two games is a solid foundation on which to build. Qualification to the knockout stages already looks to be well in hand, even if the performances are not quite there yet. 

"It is always difficult against such a defence," Guardiola concluded (again via UEFA.com). "But we were patient and had chances for more goals. The performance was fine for the second game."

Pavel Golovkin/Associated Press

Player Ratings

Player	Rating
Igor Akinfeev	6
Mario Fernandes	5
Sergei Ignashevich	6
Vasili Berezutsky	6
Aleksei Berezutsky	6
Georgi Schennikov	5
Zoran Tosic	6
Georgi Milanov	6
Roman Eremenko	7
Bibras Natcho	6
Ahmed Musa	7
Substitutions
Seydou Doumbia	6
Dimitri Efremov	6

Player	Rating
Manuel Neuer	7
Philipp Lahm	6
Dante	6
Mehdi Benatia	6
Juan Bernat	6
David Alaba	6
Xabi Alonso	7
Mario Gotze	7
Thomas Muller	7
Arjen Robben	6
Robert Lewandowski	6
Substitutions
Xherdan Shaqiri	6
Rafinha	6
Claudio Pizarro	n/a

What's Next?

Bayern now face successive group stage meetings with Roma, as they look to secure group stage qualification at the earliest possible opportunity. That means CSKA have two dates with Manchester City—even at this early stage, they simply must get something out of both meetings if they are to retain any realistic aspirations for the rest of the competition.