Roma fell to a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in their Champions League clash at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening.
The Bavarian side found the net through Franck Ribery and Mario Gotze and the win was comfortable for Pep Guardiola’s men. Rudi Garcia’s side will take confidence from the game having improved drastically since the 7-1 demolition at the Stadio Olimpico a fortnight ago.
Agree with our ratings? Have your say in the comments below.
Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer – 6 – Unconquerable
Although he will have enjoyed a quiet night overall, the German giant made a stunning double save from Gervinho and Nainggolan to reaffirm his status as the best in the world.
Mehdi Benatia – 6 – Settled
Looked to be exposed by Iturbe early on and made a needless foul on the Argentine. After this he calmed and grew into the game. Sniffing out and shutting down any progression his former side made.
Jerome Boateng – 5.5 – Untested
Not much to do given his sides dominance. Never threatened.
David Alaba – 7 – Advanced
Although listed as a defender in the team sheet, the Austrian spent a small proportion of the game in the defensive third. Often found at the edge of the Roma box. Created the opening goal with a good run into space.
Xabi Alonso – 6.5 – Maestro
Replaced with just over 15 minutes to play and left the field with a 96% pass completion rate. A performance we are well used to seeing from the Spanish playmaker. Held things together as the other midfield players swarmed around the pitch in their usual fashion.
Philipp Lahm – 6 – Leader
Nothing outstanding, but consistently calm and composed in his relatively newfound midfield role. Always looked as though he has been an ever-present in the middle of the pitch throughout his career.
Rafinha – 6 – Problem
While they created more from the left, the Brazilian gave Holebas a headache in the first half and looked dangerous.
Juan Bernat – 6 – Busy
The left sided 21-year-old had a busy game for the Bavarian side. Started very well and nearly scored twice in the first half. Had a shot blocked brilliantly by Torosidis before a deceitful cross dipped onto the roof of the net, nearly catching Roma’s Polish goalkeeper off-guard.
Mario Gotze – 6 – Patient
Largely unnoticed in the first half. Grabbed the goal which as good as confirmed the points for Bayern by getting on the end of a cross from his ex Borussia Dortmund teammate Lewandowski.
Franck Ribery – 6.5 – Dangerous
A typical Ribery performance. Showed no signs of rustiness and exploited space very well to give his side the lead.
Robert Lewandowski – 6.5 – Point
With all the dynamism of what is at times a midfield seven for Bayern, the Polish striker was always a point of reference for his team when they attacked. Ribery’s opener came from the Frenchman exploiting space vacated because of Roma being occupied with keeping Lewandowski under control. Created the second goal with some good play.
Substitutes
Xherdan Shaqiri – N/A
Replaced Xabi Alonso with the points sealed at 2-0 with 20 minutes to play.
Sebastian Rode – N/A
Came on with 10 minutes to play for David Alaba.
Pierre Hojbjerg – N/A
Replaced his captain Philipp Lahm with only a couple of moments to play.
Roma
Lukasz Skorupski – 6 – Upgrade
Without doing anything too spectacular, Skorupski looked far more composed and assured than De Sanctis in the 7-1 drubbing a fortnight ago. Would reeve higher rating with better distribution but he handled the ball well and couldn’t do anything to prevent the opening goal.
Vasilis Torosidis – 4.5 – Overwhelmed
Could have done better with both goals. Simply outnumbered on the right by the threat of Ribery and the progressing Alaba, both of whom combined for the opening goal on the right hand side of Roma’s defence. Lewandowski later created the second goal from a similar position.
Kostas Manolas – 6 – Standout
The Greek played very well while being bombarded by Bayern for the duration of the game. Didn’t put a foot wrong and never looked threatened.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – 5.5 – Capricious
Despite a solid first half performance, he rather unpredictably went missing for the Ribery opener and might have done more to prevent the second.
Jose Holebas – 5 – Overrun
Much like his counterpart on the opposite side, he had too much to deal with as Bayern attacked in numbers. Overlapped time and time again. Needed more protection.
Radja Nainggolan – 5.5 – Unfamiliar
With the overlapping of Bayern’s attacking players on the right he was often forced wide in an attempt to protect Holebas and later Cole. Looked uncomfortable doing so. Almost pulled one back late on but for the brilliance on Neuer.
Daniele De Rossi – 5.5 – Careless
While not being the worst performer on the night, the Italian should have made more of possession when he had the ball. Did well defensively and without possession but created little with the time he had on the ball.
Seydou Keita – 5 – Wasteful
Probably the most wasteful of the Roma midfield. Gave up possession too often. Never showed his experience unlike in previous European games.
Alessandro Florenzi – 6 – Industrious
The 23-year-old worked as hard as anyone and started the game very well. His attacking threat faded as the first half progressed, as did the Giallorossi’s ability to keep possession. Rolled his ankle awkwardly after 30 minutes an probably should have been replaced. Stayed on only to further damage his ankle and be subsequently replaced by Pjanic early in the second half.
Mattia Destro – 5.5 – Spirited
Failed to get a shot off when he might have in the first half. Worked tirelessly throughout the 90 minutes, pressing Bayern well as part of a front three. Much like the other attacking players, would have received a higher rating had they threatened more frequently.
Juan Iturbe – 5.5 – Spark
Started brightly and looked to be a problem for Benatia but suffered as the game progressed and his side struggled to keep possession. Replaced with just over 15 minutes left to play.
Substitutes
Ashley Cole – 6 – Disciplined
Performed better than his predecessor and offered more stability in the back line. Not given any opportunity to press forward but used his experience to tame Bayern attacks.
Miralem Pjanic – N/A
Hard to analyse his performance given the dominance of the home side. Contributed little but not alone in that regard.
Gervinho – N/A
Replaced Iturbe with 15 minutes to play. Should have been introduced earlier. Made a difference when he came on but not enough to earn a fair rating.
