Bayern Munich won 2-0 at Atlético Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Lennart Karl and Konrad Laimer scored in the second half at the Metropolitano. Harry Kane set up the second goal.
It was Bayern’s first win in the competition after two draws in a row. They now have eight points from four games and sit eighth in the league phase table.
A slow start, then a gift
Neither side scored in the first half. Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak had a busy night.
The breakthrough came in the 54th minute. Robin Le Normand took too long over a clearance inside his own box, and 18-year-old Karl stole the ball from him and scored past Oblak. It was Karl’s fifth Champions League goal.
Kane turns provider
Atlético tried to respond, but Bayern stayed on top. Oblak tipped a deflected shot from Dayot Upamecano onto the bar. Bayern also had a goal from a Joshua Kimmich corner ruled out for a foul by Upamecano.
The second goal arrived in the 74th minute. Kane picked out Laimer, and the Austrian drilled the ball into the net.
Kane did not score himself on the night. His pass for Laimer was still the moment that settled the game.
Where it leaves both teams
Bayern are now unbeaten in their four league phase games. Their 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal last month was the second of two draws in a row. This result puts them back in the top eight.
Atlético stay on four points and drop to 22nd. Diego Simeone’s side have a lot of work to do in the second half of the league phase if they want to reach the knockout rounds.
Our take
This was a grown-up away performance from Bayern. They stayed calm at 0-0 and waited for Atlético to make a mistake. When it came, Karl was ready.
Karl keeps showing that he belongs at this level. Scoring at the Metropolitano at 18 is no small thing. Bayern fans have every reason to be excited about him.
Who impressed you more for Bayern, Karl or Laimer? Tell us in the comments.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Konrad Laimer by Steindy (CC BY-SA 4.0) and by Steffen Prößdorf (CC BY-SA 4.0); the Metropolitano by JesVCB (CC BY-SA 4.0); the Allianz Arena by Tobias Alt (CC BY-SA 4.0).
