Bayern Munich vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Score, Grades, Reaction from Champions League
Bayern Munich moved into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals following a 7-0 victory over 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena.
Following a scoreless draw in the first leg last month in Ukraine, Bayern wasted little time taking control of the return match. Thomas Muller put the Bundesliga champions ahead with a penalty in just the fourth minute, moments after Shakhtar defender Olexandr Kucher drew a red card for bringing down Mario Gotze in the box.
Jerome Boateng netted Bayern's second in the 34th minute with a close-range finish, before Franck Ribery and Muller added back-to-back strikes early in the second half. Holger Badstuber, Robert Lewandowski and Gotze then rounded off the scoring as Bayern cantered to a 7-0 aggregate win.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
With the win, Bayern booked passage to the Champions League's last eight for the 14th time overall, which is a record. This spring the Bavarians will hope to turn their consistency into a sixth European title.
Based on Wednesday's result, Pep Guardiola's side must be considered one of the favourites. Boasting a roster packed with talent all over the pitch, Bayern are more than a match for most clubs and are built to compete with Europe's absolute best.
In addition to their pursuit of Champions League glory, Bayern are in good position to win silverware in two further competitions. With an 11-point lead atop the Bundesliga, Guardiola's team is a near-certainty to claim a third consecutive league title. Bayern have also reached the quarter-finals of the German Cup and need only three more wins to claim the trophy for the third straight season.
Up next, Bayern play at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Shakhtar, currently second in the Ukrainian Premier League, host Olimpik Donetsk on Sunday.
Even after the first leg ended scoreless, a repeat seemed unlikely in Munich, where Bayern's record has been superb this season. But even the home supporters probably weren't expecting their side to take the lead as quickly as they did.
In just the third minute, Bayern won a penalty with their first incisive attack of the game. A flowing move saw the ball move quickly from Arjen Robben to Ribery and finally to Gotze, who tumbled in the box under a challenge by Kucher.
The referee showed no hesitation awarding a penalty and subsequently dismissed Kucher for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. One minute later, Muller converted the penalty after sending Shakhtar goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov the wrong way.
Bayern continued to dominate throughout the opening half but scored only once more. In the eighth minute, Robert Lewandowski found space on the left side of the box, crossing into the goalmouth just before Pyatov reached him. Robben was making a late run to goal, but the ball fizzed inches past the Dutch winger and the chance passed.
Robben left the match in the 19th minute after suffering what appeared to be a minor hamstring injury. Sebastian Rode replaced him in Bayern's lineup.
Bayern came close again in the 24th minute as Lewandowski hit the post with a header. Pyatov then made a pair of saves in the 28th and 29th minutes, on Ribery and Muller, respectively.
The second goal arrived in the 34th minute as Boateng finished off another fine team move. Gotze crossed from the right, picking out Boateng on the opposite side of the box. The German defender headed the ball back across to Muller, who then headed down for Lewandowski in front of goal. Pyatov made a good save to deny Lewandowski's shot, but the ball bounced straight to Boateng, who finished from close range to give Bayern a 2-0 lead.
Muller nearly made it 3-0 in the 36th minute, but his curling shot flew inches wide of the post after the German forward created space for himself with a deft turn inside the box.
Leading by two goals at half-time, Bayern had little incentive to push all-out for more goals in the second 45 minutes. But the third goal arrived shortly after the restart, courtesy of fine work from Ribery. Collecting a pass from Gotze on the left flank, Ribery bore down on goal at a tight angle before playing a one-two with Boateng. After receiving the back pass, Ribery finished expertly at the far post for 3-0.
Bayern added the fourth just two minutes later. Ribery served as provider this time, racing to the byline to keep the ball from rolling out before cutting back a cross that deflected into the path of Muller. With Pyatov stranded, Muller had no trouble finishing in the open net for 4-0.
The match—and the tie—was finished as a contest, but Bayern continued to attack. In the 62nd minute, Bayern substitute Juan Bernat forced Pyatov into a good save after dribbling through the box.
One minute later, though, Pyatov was unable to keep out another goal as Badstuber headed in from a Rafinha corner. The Shakhtar goalkeeper got a hand to the ball but only helped it into the back of the net as Bayern went ahead 5-0.
Lewandowski got on the scoresheet in the 75th minute, chesting down Rafinha's long ball over the top and holding off a defender before slotting in his finish off Pyatov's leg for 6-0.
Muller had a chance to finish off his hat-trick in the 83rd minute, but the German forward volleyed wide of the near post following Rode's cross from the right flank.
There was still time for one more goal, and Gotze did the honours in the 87th minute. After Boateng led a counter down the right, Gotze collected the ball in the box, patiently set up his right foot and finished past Pyatov at the near post for 7-0.
Grades
| Manuel Neuer | 6.7 |
| Rafinha | 8.8 |
| Jerome Boateng | 9.9 |
| Holger Badstuber | 8.2 |
| David Alaba | 8.1 |
| Arjen Robben | 6.1 |
| Bastian Schweinsteiger | 8.6 |
| Franck Ribery | 9.1 |
| Mario Gotze | 9.0 |
| Thomas Muller | 9.2 |
| Robert Lewandowski | 9.4 |
| Sebastian Rode (for Robben, 19') | 8.2 |
| Juan Bernat (for Ribery, 59') | 6.8 |
| Dante (for Badstuber, 67') | 6.5 |
| Andriy Pyatov | 6.3 |
| Darijo Srna | 6.2 |
| Olexandr Kucher | 4.8 |
| Yaroslav Rakitskiy | 5.7 |
| Viacheslav Shevchuk | 5.3 |
| Fred | 5.9 |
| Taras Stepanenko | 5.3 |
| Douglas Costa | 5.8 |
| Alex Teixeira | 5.9 |
| Taison | 6.1 |
| Luiz Adriano | 5.7 |
| Sergey Krivtsov (for Taison, 9') | 5.8 |
| Ilsinho (for Teixeira, 70') | 6.1 |
| Wellington Nem (for Costa, 79') | 5.9 |
Reaction
Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng, via UEFA.com: "From the beginning we concentrated, were aggressive and therefore we led quickly. The red card was an advantage, then we made the most of it."
Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber, via UEFA.com: "I am pleased with my goal, but overall I am happy that we won and we came through. Still, it was a lot of hard work, we are relieved."
Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, via UEFA.com: "The red card and penalty were crucial, otherwise perhaps the game runs differently. I thought we played well, controlled it and did not allow counter-attacks."
Follow @MiguelCominguez
