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Bayern Munich sent an ominous statement to the rest of Europe's football heavyweights earlier today with a stunning 4-0 victory against Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. The reigning European champions have developed a ruthless streak under Hansi Flick and showed the Spanish side no mercy at the Allianz Arena.
While Atletico Madrid did create their fair share of chances, Bayern Munich's superiority across the pitch was clear as day. The Bavarians outclassed Atletico Madrid on the night and remain one of the best teams in the world at the moment.
Bayern Munich predictably dominated the opening stages of the game and were comfortable on the ball. The Bavarians peppered Atletico Madrid's penalty area in the first half, with Niklas Sule hitting the post early in the game.
Atletico Madrid also presented a threat on a few occasions and the likes of Yannick Carrasco and Luis Suarez came close to giving Diego Simeone's side a shock lead. Bayern Munich discarded all doubt minutes later, however, with Joshua Kimmich and Kingsley Coman combining to score the opening goal of the game.
Bayern Munich continued to press Atletico Madrid in the midfield and a quick turn of possession gave the Bavarians their second goal before half-time, with Leon Goretzka powering his shot past Jan Oblak to deflate Simeone's outfit.
Joao Felix thought he had brought Atletico Madrid back into the game with an excellent shot at the start of the second half but his goal was ruled out by a VAR check. Atletico Madrid continued to push forward in search of a lifeline but a distinct gulf in class was evident throughout the game.
Bayern Munich grew into the game yet again as the second half progressed and had more cause to celebrate as Corentin Tolisso decided to take matters into his own hands. The midfielder picked up the ball outside the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot that left Jan Oblak stranded in Atletico Madrid's goal.
Kingsley Coman made matters worse for Atletico Madrid after a sensational dribble from the winger gave Bayern Munich their fourth goal of the game. Hansi Flick's Bayern Munich were a league above Atletico Madrid in this fixture and are the early favourites to win this competition yet again.
#5 Hit - Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
Leon Goretzka was an absolute colossus in Bayern Munich's midfield on the night and consistently beat Atletico Madrid at their own game. The German midfield engine was near-unstoppable when he drove forward with the ball and continues to show tremendous growth under Hansi Flick.
Goretzka complemented the irrepressible Joshua Kimmich perfectly in the middle of the pitch as Bayern Munich strangled Atletico Madrid and starved them off passing options. The powerful midfielder was comfortable on the ball and completed most of his passes.
Leon Goretzka also found himself in advanced positions on several occasions and took full toll of Atletico Madrid's lack of organisation to score a well-deserved goal. The midfielder is excellent in his prime and was the driving force behind Bayern Munich's exhilarating performance today.
#4 Flop - Kieran Tripper (Atletico Madrid)
Kieran Trippier had one of his worst games in an Atletico Madrid shirt and was embarrassed by the supremely talented Kingsley Coman throughout the game. The English full-back was unable to handle the pace of Bayern Munich's play and was often left stranded as the Bavarians drove forward with urgency and menace.
Kieran Tripper did not offer Atletico Madrid with a wide outlet in the final third and was surprisingly one of the weakest links in the Spanish outfit's defence. The full-back was caught out of position on numerous occasions and struggled to cope with Coman's agility and pace.
Trippier was effectively eviscerated in the build-up to Kingsley Coman's second goal of the night and will have to improve by leaps and bounds if Atletico Madrid aspire to progress to the next stage of the competition.
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#3 Hit - Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
Had Serge Gnabry been available for this game, Kingsley Coman might have found himself on the bench. The Bayern Munich winger was handed an opportunity against Atletico Madrid by Hansi Flick and took his chance with both hands tonight.
The Frenchman tormented Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier on the left flank and eased past his marker to latch on to Joshua Kimmich's pass in the first half. Coman provided Bayern Munich with an excellent attacking outlet and timed his runs to perfection.
The pacy winger scored Bayern Munich's fourth goal of the night with an extraordinary individual effort that left Atletico Madrid's defence dumbfounded. Hansi Flick has managed to bring the best out of Kingsley Coman and the forward is likely to play a pivotal role in Bayern Munich's defence of the Champions League title.
#2 Flop - Luis Suarez (Atletico Madrid)
Luis Suarez started the game brightly but ran out of energy before the half-hour mark. The Uruguayan cut a forlorn figure in the final third as Bayern Munich dominated large periods of the game.
Luis Suarez did manage to get on the ball in dangerous positions but failed to register a single shot on target. The veteran striker seems to have lost more than just a yard of pace and was crowded out by the Bayern Munich defence on numerous occasions. With David Alaba tracking his every move, the Atletico Madrid striker struggled to keep the ball and squandered possession far too often for Diego Simeone's liking.
The former Barcelona striker has been heavily criticised in the past for his lack of involvement in general build-up play and Atletico Madrid suffered today as a result. Diego Simeone has his work cut out for him and will have to find a way to bring the best out of the legendary Uruguayan superstar.
#1 Hit - Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
In addition to being one of the most versatile players in world football at the moment, Joshua Kimmich has also established himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe under Hansi Flick. The German star did not put a foot wrong against Atletico Madrid and was arguably the best player on the pitch.
With Thiago Alcantara moving to the Premier League, Joshua Kimmich has been handed a midfield role alongside Leon Goretzka in Bayern Munich's midfield. The Bavarian utility man was sensational against Atletico Madrid and created the first goal of the game with a sumptuous pass that took Diego Simeone's well-drilled defensive line out of the equation.
Kimmich won most of his tackles against Atletico Madrid and gave Bayern Munich an aura of dominance in the midfield. The Bayern Munich star is one of the most in-form players in the world at the moment and continues to move from strength to strength under Hansi Flick.
