Dinamo Zagreb vs. Bayern Munich: Winners and Losers from Champions League
Bayern Munich ended the Champions League group stage on a high note on Wednesday as they beat Dinamo Zagreb, 2-0, at the Stadion Maksimir. Although Thomas Muller was unable to convert a late penalty, a quickfire brace from Robert Lewandowski on 61 and 64 minutes was enough to ensure victory for the Bavarian giants.
The result was enough to see Bayern top Group F with 15 points, six ahead of runners-up Arsenal, who qualified following their win over Olympiakos. Zagreb finished bottom of the group with just three points from six games.
Following Wednesday's result, B/R runs the rule over the winners and losers from all the action. Click "Begin Slideshow" to see our picks.
Loser: Mehdi Benatia
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Mehdi Benatia was having a good enough game as half-time approached, but just before the interval, he pulled up and had to come off for treatment. The Morocco international didn't come back for the second half, with Jerome Boateng his replacement; it appeared to be a hamstring injury that ended his evening early.
The 28-year-old Benatia missed two months earlier this season with a similar muscular problem and seems to be done for the calendar year. He'll end 2015 having barely played 600 minutes in all competitions.
Benatia had a few injuries last season and wasn't always the first choice in manager Pep Guardiola's lineup, but sadly, things have gone worse for him in 2015-16. It's a shame, because he is one of world football's best defensive players: a brilliant man-marker and outstanding tackler with overwhelming strength and power. Yet, like Holger Badstuber, he so rarely has been fit. He'll have to hope for better luck in 2016.
Loser: Julian Green
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Julian Green may have emerged as a rising talent during the 2013-14 campaign, but the youngster's career has been in a bit of a downward spiral since he scored for the United States against Belgium in the 2014 World Cup.
The 21-year-old had a nightmare of a loan spell at Hamburg last season, and he hadn't even featured on the bench for the Bayern first team this season until Wednesday's match. As such, the Zagreb game was a huge and rare opportunity for Green to make an impression. He didn't take his chance, though, and was substituted off after just over an hour. Back to the reserves, it seems.
Winner: Sebastian Rode
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While Green was unable to take his rare chance to prove himself with the first team, Sebastian Rode did. The 25-year-old, whom Guardiola often overlooked, brought energy and skill to the buildup for Bayern. In fact, it was the former Eintracht Frankfurt man who set up Lewandowski for Bayern's second goal.
Not bad for a player who'd made just four brief appearances this season entering Wednesday's game. And a good reminder to potential suitors that he still is a quality player, even if he hasn't been given many chances as of late. Rode has been a hot topic in the newspapers as of late, with Die Welt (in German) this morning becoming the latest source to link him with a transfer.
Winner: Robert Lewandowski
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Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick when Bayern faced Zagreb earlier this season, and the Poland international was on song again on Wednesday night.
Although Bayern didn't look to be particularly motivated to perform, Lewandowski ensured a comfortable win with two second-half goals. His first came out of nowhere, a glancing header from a cross. His second came with a delicate chip after he'd been played behind the Zagreb back line.
The hosts had plenty of chances to score, but it speaks of Lewandowski's class that he, and not Dinamo, managed to make the difference and earn what ultimately will be remembered as a comfortable win.
