Bayern Munich Finally Click in Champions League as Roma Crumble Before Them

Bayern Munich outshone even the wildest expectations on Tuesday night when they overcame host AS Roma in the Champions League 7-1. 

Pep Guardiola's German champions were always the favourites in any potential scenario, but few would have predicted that this Bavarian side could have dismantled with such ease what has been one of Europe's most in-form teams. 

Unfortunately, Rudi Garcia's side simply showed up at the wrong place and wrong time, as Guardiola's vision, preparation and absolute belief in perfection came to fruition at the Stadio Olimpico. As the old saying goes, "form is temporary, class is permanent," and Bayern were quite simply a class above their Italian rivals. 

The Bavarian club were simply at their very best for the first time this season. Reaching their biggest-ever away win in the European competition, Bayern may well have even given their best performance since the Catalan coach took over from Jupp Heynckes in 2013. 

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If this match was indeed a warning shot to any other potential Champions League favourites, the battle cry came loud and clear from the throat of Arjen Robben. Muhammad Ali may have floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee, but Tuesday the flying Dutchman drove past Roma defenders with the speed and physicality of a locomotive only to caress each of his two goals with the utmost precision and care. 

If one were to blur the television screen on the night and forget all premonitions about the game, Robben's runs and passes could have convinced that it was indeed Lionel Messi jumping through the waves of defensive tackles on the Stadio Olimpico pitch. 

The 30-year-old may never be remembered quite like the Argentine prodigy, but when Robben is on his game he is capable of producing magic not too dissimilar to the eye-watering, speechless feats that Messi has made us so accustomed to seeing. 

Squawka.com

As the Squawka graphic above helpfully depicts, we can see that each of Robben's attacking plays resulted in a goalscoring opportunity, if not a clear assist for one of Bayern's seven goals.

Cutting in from the right has always been the Dutch international's party trick, but the manner in which he now sets up goals and brings others into the game once he's made his way into the centre of the park is what makes him a truly world-class player. 

Bayern were also able to rely upon the steady, consistent form of new signing Xabi Alonso at the base of their midfield and defense throughout the monumental win in Italy. So much more than just a simple smart buy in the summer transfer window, the former Real Madrid star has come into this side as the finishing touch to Guardiola's master plan. 

Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

Playing in the alternative 3-4-3 formation, Alonso is at times the most important player in the side, seamlessly slotting into defence whenever David Alaba decides to take the ball on a run from deep. If not a midfield general in his total domination of possession, then Alonso is the quasi centre-back Guardiola has desired ever since he arrived in Munich. 

In this new system, Guardiola urges his entire midfield to push the ball high up the park and keep the pressure on the opposition within their own half. That leaves Alonso to simply mop up any balls that get through only to then recycle possession and get the play back into the opposing half. 

Elsewhere, we saw the attacking trio of Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze continue their rich vein of form as the three forwards grow more comfortable with each other's playing style. At times Bayern looked as though they were simply playing with a flat four up front only for each player to float out of position and interchange with one another.

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Lewandowski would float out left, Muller would drift into the middle of the six-yard box and Gotze would pull back and take up his preferred spot on the edge of the box. Like a great choreographed production, Bayern twirled and struck in perfect synchronisation, leaving Roma stunned and thoroughly defeated. 

If this is indeed to be a defining moment in Guardiola's time at Bayern, then let it be known as the match that finally showcased the side that has been evolving for the last 18 months.

Indeed, the Bayern coach believes his team can still improve, as FIFA.com reported, quoting Guardiola as saying: "Roma always play well, but we were very aggressive, we made good decisions and we opened up the space we needed. But there are still things we can do better."

While critics and fans alike contrasted this ever-changing side with teams of the past, this coach and his players have tirelessly been working on a new game-changing system. Guardiola's Bayern look to have finally clicked and are ready to reclaim Europe.

They will now seek to extend their current four-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga when they face second-placed Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.

@Sbienkowski