Bayern Munich crushed Roma 7-1 at Stadio Olimpico in the third round of the Champions League group stages.
Arjen Robben opened the scoring before Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski wanted a piece of the action. The Dutchman grabbed a second which was then followed by Thomas Muller scoring from the spot to see the German side 5-0 up at halftime.
Gervinho grabbed a deserved goal for himself before substitutes Franck Ribery and Xherdan Shaqiri provided the icing on the cake for a terrific Bayern performance.
Agree with our ratings? Have your say in the comments below!
Roma
Morgan De Sanctis – 3.5 – Spillage
Should have done better with Robben’s fourth and spilled the ball that led to Shaqiri’s goal and the seventh that went past him. Confidence blow for a man who had conceded just four in seven in the league.
Vasilis Torosidis – 4 – Poor
Looked out of his depth for most of the game and failed to track any runs made by Alaba which he should have been expecting. Can play much better.
Kostas Manolas – 4.5 – Disappointing
Another who has impressed so far this season but was completely taken apart by the movement made by Lewandowski and Muller.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – 4.5 – Played
Had to sit back and just watch himself and his defence fall apart around him. Was merely just a number on the pitch for the 90 minutes and failed to help out Cole with the dribbling prowess of Robben.
Ashley Cole – 3 – Old
Was given the run around by the Dutch winger and should have known better than to allow Robben to cut inside onto his left foot for the games opener. Rightly subbed at halftime. Dreadful performance.
Miralem Pjanic – 4.5 – Non-existant
Not like the Bosnian to be so out of a game but was completely bypassed by the incredible play from the Bayern midfield. Failed to get forward like usual and was stuck on the edge of his own box for the first half and by then the damage was done.
Daniele De Rossi – 4.5 – Forgotten
The return to the Champions League was one the bearded Italian will not want to remember. Got about the pitch on occasion but was lacklustre in his passing. Will try and remember the 3-2 success a couple of years back when he sleeps tonight as opposed to this drubbing.
Radja Nainggolan – 5 – Content
Wasn’t the usual Nainggolan on display today, then again, the same could be said for the other ten players. Grabbed the assist for Gervinho’s header so can take something away from the game.
Juan Iturbe – 4.5 – Dived
The Argentine offered very little during the course of the game. Did track back well to try and help out Cole but made no difference. Did an impressive dive during the first half in the centre circle, reflecting the frustration of his team.
Francesco Totti – 5 – Tried
He’s everything that’s right about Roma and fought for his side in the dire first half that occurred. Made some exceptional passes that went completely unnoticed. Subbed at halftime to allow more pace to the attack.
Gervinho – 6 – Workhorse
Looked lively in places and had a good chance well saved by Neuer at 1-0. Was unlucky to hit the post as well but he did get his goal for the effort made. Gave his all for the team but it wasn’t to be their night.
Substitutes
Alessandro Florenzi – 4.5 – Movement
Got a shot away that forced a good save from Neuer but probably could have done better in the early stages of the second half. Brought some much needed pace to the attacking line-up.
Adem Ljajic – 4 – Appeared
Made nothing more than a Champions League appearance for his statistics. Tried to get his team going but the German’s were ruthless in their display.
Jose Holebas – 4.5 – Unlucky
Had the unlucky task of having to stop Robben running riot again. Found out the best way to do so was to foul him, which at least halted the winger’s progress.
Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer – 7.5 – Best
May seem odd to give a 7.5 to a goalkeeper in a 7-1 win but the German keeper was remarkable between the sticks. Made an important first stop from Gervinho at 1-0 but also acquired one of the saves of the competition, denying the Ivorian again from point blank range.
Jerome Boateng – 6.5 – Steady
One of Boateng’s easiest games at the back. Was not called upon much but did his job to an ok standard when he needed to. Was saved by Neuer when failing to track Gervinho’s run.
Mehdi Benatia – 6.5 – Return
Also had nothing to do apart from accept the boos that came down from the stands. Goes back to Germany a winner against his former side, the result he dreamt of.
David Alaba – 7.5 – Runner
Never stops moving down the flanks and can always provide a teammate with an option when there seems nothing on. Won the penalty that Muller converted.
Philipp Lahm – 8 – Talisman
Popped passes around the pitch like usual and was allowed far too much room to work his magic in the middle. Was very vocal throughout and led his side well through the demolition of the first half.
Juan Bernat – 7 – Impressed
It may seem a low rating for someone who actually played quite well, Bernat showed Pep he is comfortable at the highest level and made some good simple passes in some audacious moves that the entire team were involved in.
Xabi Alonso – 7 – Usual
Helped Lahm run the game and never fails to impress. He may not be as young and hungry as Toni Kroos was but can still offer a lot whether it’s at the back defending or pulling the strings in midfield.
Thomas Muller – 7 – Likeable
It’s quite hard for a fan of football to dislike this man, unless you’re Pepe. Made some great runs and showed his typical off the ball movement that was present during the World Cup. Netted the fifth from the spot.
Arjen Robben – 8.5 – Quality
30 years young and still getting better. The Dutchman was at his very best as he tormented Cole and grabbed two good goals. When he’s at his peak he’s unstoppable.
Mario Gotze – 7.5 – Winner
Proves game after game just what a talent he is. Clearly not fazed by his World Cup winning goal the young man also notched up a goal with a typical finish to get Bayern well and truly going.
Robert Lewandowski – 6.5 – Clever
Made a great run to get onto a cross for his goal. Didn’t see much of him with other chances but did produce a nice pass which led to Robben’s second.
Substitutes
Rafinha – 5.5 – Quiet
Did his job when coming on for Muller and that’s all he had to do. Probably feels a bit left out as the other two substitutes managed to score.
Franck Ribery – 7 – Back
A while since the world has had a proper look again at the Frenchman and he didn’t disappoint. Netted a delicious lob for Bayern’s sixth. Good to have him back on the mains stage.
Xherdan Shaqiri – 6 – Stroll
Came on, ran about with his pace and netted after a minute of being on the pitch. Showed Pep what he could do.
