Bayern Munich 3-0 Red Star Belgrade: 5 Players who impressed for the Bavarians | Champions League 2019-20 

Goals from Kingsley Coman, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller got Bayern Munich off to a winning start in their UEFA Champions League season, against Red Star Belgrade.

Although in cruise control for large portions of the game, it wasn't what one would label as relentless or deadly, as Niko Kovac's side were made to play the patient game.

The hosts were up and running in the encounter right from the outset, as it took just a couple of minutes for them to test the opposition goalkeeper. By the end of the first 45 minutes, Bayern had 18 attempts on goal, with six of them on target. Alongside, they possessed about 81% of the ball.

Although it was smooth sailing for the German champions, a defensively stacked Red Star side frustrated them to just the solitary goal in the opening half. The dark blue shirts completely swarmed their 18-yard box, sticking to a compact shape and thereby, trying to remain in the game.

Milan Borjan in Red Star's goal was called into action way more often than he'd have liked, as Robert Lewandowski, Tolisso, Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Perisic tested him time and time again.

The second half began in similar fashion, with just about one spell of play going the visitors' way before the hour mark. Following a horrendously misplaced pass, Lewandowski set on his way through, but Borjan's fabulous reaction save way ahead of his goal line spared his side's blushes.

Tolisso hit the frame of goal while trying to curl one with his side foot, while the Bayern number 9 blazed a shot just over a bar when on free-kick duty as well. Minutes later, Perisic's exquisite control and shot met the woodwork before Lewandowski's follow-up went over.

The Poland international finally got his goal, in scrappy fashion albeit, when he pounced on a defensive miscommunication to divert the ball into the back of the net.

On that note, we look at five players who rose to the occasion in this season's UCL opener for Bayern Munich.

---

#5 Thiago Alcantara

Thiago put up a neat display in midfield against Red Star

Thiago provided a defensive sheath while his side conducted one-way traffic. The Spaniard stuck to his task, intercepted a host of passes played by the opposition and helped his side regain possession of the ball.

Passing wise, he was as reliable and safe as ever. A couple of long passes indeed, cut open the Red Star defence. If not for the disappointing finishing, the play maker's distribution was sure to draw plaudits.

His awareness in midfield brought about a comforting presence that allowed Bayern to probe further up the pitch. In the 64th minute of the game, it was Thiago's heroic intervention that not only nicked the ball away but also won his side a free-kick when he took the force of Pavkov's kick to his ankle.

The final ball to Muller in the 91st minute served as a cherry on top.

Also check out : Premier League Table La Liga Table Champions League Schedule

#4 Ivan Perisic

Ivan Perisic's exemplary individual work led to the first goal

Ivan Perisic was another fantastic performer for the home side. The winger picked up balls in key areas of the pitch, dragged defenders out to make room - a key aspect in football that needs to be executed in order to break teams that flood their own halves.

The Croatian was wily and direct with the ball, running at the opponents with confidence and playing accurate passes into the box. His switch of flanks impressed one and all, as that was what led to a sense of confusion among the Red Star full backs.

The same procedure also led to the goal, when himself and Coman exchanged positions. While Perisic worked as the creator, the latter finished off the chance with an unstoppable header from close range.

Further, Perisic's trickery, burst of pace and explosion with the ball proved fruitful against a team that placed everyone in their ranks behind the ball. He should have got on the score sheet himself, having done all the hard work in getting behind, expressing great control and beating the keeper - but not the crossbar, unfortunately.

#3 Kingsley Coman

Coman's run into the box for the first goal was extremely intelligent

He may not have been as involved in running the races, such as Perisic, Coutinho or the full backs, but Kingsley Coman's highly important opener calmed a few nerves and in turn, was the most essential contribution of the match.

It was easy travel for Bayern to the final third, but not so much when Red Star covered every blade of grass and choked the pockets of space. Just then, Coman's movement and not his on-the-ball witchcraft led to the opener after a rather strenuous effort to score.

The Bavarians were made to do all the running, bring out their quality and carve open a stubborn backline. Coman, as aforementioned, was clever with the ball and with his timing of interchanging positions with Perisic.

Further, his change of pace down the right flank, link-up with Kimmich and a few defensive contributions were noteworthy as well. However, it was Coman's goal that stood out, courtesy his splendid movement and poise.

#2 Joshua Kimmich

Kimmich looked threatening down the flank throughout the evening

Joshua Kimmich has always been a willing runner down the right flank, but today, he almost played as an out-and-out wide winger.

The right back, from the very first minute, was seen higher up the pitch. He continued to remain there throughout the course of the game, chipping in with tackles and completing recoveries to good effect. It's important to have your positioning catalogued while defending that high up the turf, and it's fair to say Josh Kimmich stuck to his task whenever called upon.

It goes without saying that in this category of a game where it was just a matter of when Bayern would score, we ought to mention the full back's offensive contributions. Kimmich always spun off the back of Jander, freed up space for himself and made some dazzling runs down the track.

Not easy to do the same repeatedly, but this man performed his role to near perfection. His crosses too, were pinpoint, teasing and targeted in with purpose. A constant threat he was, indeed.

#1 Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho was simply the star of the show

The Brazilian was heavily touted to play a big hand in Bayern's quest to Champions League glory, and boy, he ran the show at the Allianz Arena in the season opener. So much so, that at one point in time during the first half, Philippe Coutinho was the name of the game.

We could run out of adjectives to enunciate on his display. The creative midfielder wasn't to be among the goals or assists, but remained the architect-in-chief throughout the course of the fixture.

He was everywhere on the pitch; receiving passes in deeper areas, starting attacks all by himself, completing duels and take-ons, linking up play with an aesthetic touch and bringing all the forward players in close proximity with one another.

It was his timing behind every move that aided him to a step and a half ahead of the rest. Coutinho controlled the pace of the game through his sharp instincts and passing. Be it the ball over the top to an advancing Kimmich down the right or one laser-guided spread to Lewandowski, the Barcelona loanee toppled it with perfection.

His long-range shooting took centre stage many a time due to the room provided by a deeper defensive line. Coutinho struck them sweetly, with the right technique as well, but just missed out.

There will be more daring opponents and monumental challenges, but should Coutinho play this way, the goals would not be far away at all.