Bayern Munich ripped apart Roma in the first half of their Champions League Group E tie tonight to take a 5-0 lead into the break at the Stadio Olimpico.
Arjen Robben strikes were separated by goals from Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski inside the opening half-hour, before Thomas Muller got in on the act.
It was vintage Robben on nine minutes when he cut inside from the right wing to bend a shot into the far corner and give Bayern the ideal start to an encounter against one of their rivals for qualification.
Things continued to get better for the German champions as Gotze exchanged passes with Muller to thrash beyond Morgan De Sanctis, before Lewandowski headed home Juan Bernat's cross on 25 minutes.
Roma, who are second in Serie A and held Manchester City in their last European match, were shellshocked when Robben got his second and Bayern's fourth after chasing onto Lewandowski's through-pass.
A nightmare first half for the Italians was compounded when Kostas Manolas clumsily handled a Bernat cross inside the box, allowing Muller to extend Munich's advantage further from the penalty spot.
Joe Fish
