Champions League: Bayern Munich beat AS Roma 2-0 to qualify for Round of 16

Bayern Munich celebrate a goal against AS Roma in the Champions League

Munich, Nov 6 Bayern Munich beat Roma 2-0 to enter UEFA Champions League pre-quarterfinals at the Allianz Arena here.

Bayern dominated the game against a defensive Roma as goals by Frenchman Franck Ribery and German international Mario Goetze were enough to inflict Roma the second straight loss Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

The visitors from Rome staged a defensive performance following a 1-7 loss in the first leg, forcing Bayern to show a lot of patience.

Nevertheless, Rome's well-positioned defense drove the Bavarians to desperation. It took Bayern 38 minute to score the first goal when Ribery utilised a square pass from David Alaba into the box to slot home into the far post corner.

Bayern kept it going but the hosts had to wait after the break before Goetze doubled the advantage at the 64th minute. He capitalised on Robert Lewandowski's cross into the box to tap in at the near post.

The hosts retracted with the 2-0 lead against passive visitors, who created two clear opportunities in the closing period. However, Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was on guard and made two brilliant saves.

Neuer defused first a low shot by Gervinho before the rebound found Radja Nainggolan, whose shot to the top right corner was punched away by the diving Bayern custodian

The fourth successive win took Bayern to the top of group E, followed by Roma with four points, CSKA Moskva with four points and Manchester City with two points.

The 2013 champions will face Manchester City on Nov 25.