Bayern Munich produced a controlled second-half performance to beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 in Tuesday’s Champions League match at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Teenager Lennart Karl opened the scoring after capitalising on a mistake by Robin Le Normand, before Konrad Laimer struck from Harry Kane’s pass to secure a convincing victory.
The first half lacked intensity, with neither side managing a shot on target. Bayern circulated the ball more quickly in the opening stages, but Atletico created the clearer chances.
Julian Alvarez bent an effort just wide of the right post, while Pablo Barrios had a shot heading towards goal deflected over by Tom Bischof. Bayern gradually improved, although Karl fired over after being set up by Kane and Laimer dragged a cross-shot wide after getting beyond Alejandro Grimaldo.
Kane then volleyed wide of the left post while attempting to meet Laimer’s hooked cross, leaving the teams level at the interval.
Joshua Kimmich tested Jan Oblak soon after the restart, while Kane also pulled a shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. Bayern finally moved ahead in the 55th minute, with the goal also recorded as coming in the 54th.
Bischof’s effort was blocked, but Karl reacted quickest when Le Normand hesitated in possession, clipping the ball over Oblak for his fifth Champions League goal.
That total is already as many as all the other Bayern players aged under 19 to have scored in the competition for Die Roten combined: Mathys Tel has two, while Jamal Musiala, Samuel Kuffour and Roque Santa Cruz have one each.
Atletico offered little in response. Marcos Llorente turned sharply but could only send a tame effort towards Manuel Neuer, while Oblak had to tip a deflected Dayot Upamecano shot on to the crossbar after it struck Marc Pubill.
Laimer completed the scoring in the 74th minute. Kane picked out the full-back on the right side of the area and Laimer smashed the ball high beyond an exposed Oblak.
Bayern had 19 shots to Atletico’s nine and finished with an expected-goals figure of 1.77, compared with 0.83 for the hosts. Their first-half figures had been 0.94 to 0.37.
Kane was attempting to match Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of scoring in 11 successive Champions League games, but could not do so. He did, however, provide the assist for Laimer and finished with five shots, none on target. Laimer had three attempts and 13 touches in the opposition box.
The result ended Bayern’s run of two successive Champions League draws. They had not drawn three consecutive matches in the competition since 2006, and the win lifted them into the top eight. Atletico dropped to 21st.
Aaron Banks again took charge from the Bayern dugout as Vincent Kompany continues to recover after becoming ill last month.
Atletico started with Jan Oblak, Alejandro Grimaldo, Sørloth, Marcos Llorente, Robin Le Normand, David Hancko, Alex Baena, Alvarez, Marc Pubill, Giuliano Simeone and Pablo Barrios. Bayern’s XI was Manuel Neuer, Harry Kane, Joshua Kimmich, Tah, Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Alphonso Davies, Stanisic, Olise, Tom Bischof and Lennart Karl.
