Good evening everyone! The
Champions League continues this evening as
Bayern Munich host
Dinamo Zagreb on the second night of action in Group F. Dinamo were triumphant against Arsenal two weeks ago, but can they produce another shock? Stick with me this evening to find out.
Is there a way to stop Bayern in their current form?
Pep Guardiola's side have been at their brilliant best since suffering defeat to Wolfsburg in the DFL Supercup, and they are on a nine-game winning run in all competitions. With the likes of
Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller in such fantastic form, it can be almost impossible to keep the German champions out.
There is some good news for the visitors from Zagreb, with Guardiola claiming in his pre-match press conference that he had just 15 first-team players available. In truth, you would struggle to put together a stronger 15-man squad.
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BAYERN: Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Alaba, Bernat, Kimmich, Thiago, Gotze, Costa, Coman, Lewandowski
SUBS: Ulreich, Martínez, Rafinha, Alonso, Müller, Gaudino, Benko
Bayern's team selection suggests that Guardiola has one eye on the weekend's Bundesliga clash with Borussia Dortmund, with Thomas Muller and Xabi Alonso both named on the bench. Lewandowski starts as the lone striker with support from Kingsley Coman,
Douglas Costa and
Mario Gotze. Joshua Kimmich is also given a rare opportunity from the start in midfield.
DINAMO: Eduardo; Matel, Benkovic, Tavarel, Pivaric; Machado, Ademi, Soudani, Antolic, Fernandes; Pjaca
SUBS: Jezina, Musa, Henriquez, Santos, Hodzic, Coric, Rog
Zoran Mamic makes two changes to the side which claimed that memorable win over Arsenal as Alexandru Matel and Filip Benkovic both come into the starting lineup for the visitors. Marko Pjaca was a constant threat to the Gunners and much will rely on how he copes against the Bayern defence.
It comes down to the right balance for Dinamo Zagreb this evening. If you sit back and focus only on defending against Bayern, they are almost certain to eventually make the breakthrough. Mamic's men must not be too risky with their attacking approach, but making the Bayern defence work will be key.
Lewandowski followed up his quite ridiculous effort of five goals in nine minutes by scoring twice more as Bayern beat Mainz at the weekend. How much damage can he do this evening? If the Polish striker gets a chance, it's a good bet he will take it.
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KEY PLAYER: Some people questioned Bayern's decision to sign Douglas Costa from Shakhtar in the summer, but it's safe to assume that those critics are pretty quiet at the moment. The Brazilian has been fantastic in the early stages of his career in Bavaria. His pace and trickery on the wing is a joy to watch, but it is his end product which Guardiola appreciates most. Dinamo are sure to have spent a lot of time preparing for him.
What can we expect from Dinamo tonight? Before capitalising on a sluggish Arsenal side two weeks ago, they had not won any of their previous 12 games in the competition. Confidence is certain to be high, but they remain huge underdogs this evening. However, a draw will raise hopes about a possible push for surprise progress to the knockout stages.
A quick reminder that you can follow live text coverage of every Champions League game tonight. Simply click the fixture in the live scores box and you will be taken to the commentary of that match. Should we expect shocks this evening?
PREDICTION: With Bayern in this form, it is difficult to predict anything other than a comfortable win for the home side tonight. Even with Muller on the bench, they should have too much attacking quality for Dinamo, who will have to keep it tight for as long as possible. I'm going for a 3-0 Bayern win.
It's very rare to hear anything other than a focused Guardiola, who has been keen to make it clear just how much he respects tonight's opposition.
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"You would expect Arsenal to have beaten them on matchday one, but after 30 minutes I could see how strong Dinamo were. [They were] very good in defence, with the players very disciplined in holding their positions," he told reporters.
The two sides are out on the pitch at the Allianz Arena. Just a few handshakes and the famous Champions League anthem to get out of the way!
KICKOFF! Bayern get the game underway in front of another packed house. They quickly settle into their passing rhythm.
The early signs are promising for Bayern, who are moving the ball at pace. There's a chance for Kimmich as he climbs highest to connect with the corner but he can only head just over.
Excellent work from Costa as he runs at pace before halting quickly and moving the ball to Gotze, who curls well wide from the edge of the box.
Dinamo are already being forced to work hard without the ball, but they are too slow when possession is eventually retrieved. Bayern dominant in the opening minutes of this Group F encounter.
Bayern's players and supporters are urging the referee to point to the spot when Costa's dangerous cross appears to hit Pivaric on the hand, but there is no whistle. A replay suggests it was the wrong decision. Bayern really should have had a penalty. Once again, does anyone know what the official behind the goal is there for? Awful.
SAVE! Boateng and Alaba are basically playing as central midfielders, such is Bayern's dominance, and the former unleashes a powerful low strike to force Eduardo into a fine save.
Lovely play on the wing from Coman as he twists and turns to create space for the cross which reaches Lewandowski, who can only miscue a shot into the waiting hands of Eduardo after a brilliant first touch. The visitors threaten to hit Bayern on the break, but Pjaca does not have the options he needs.
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 DINAMO ZAGREB (COSTA)
It had been coming. Bayern switch the play to find Costa on the wing and it looks like the Brazilian will aim to cross for Lewandowski in the box. Instead, he creates a yard for himself and somehow finds the net at the near post. It is terrible goalkeeping from Eduardo, who really should keep the low effort out. Bayern already in control.
Dinamo have to do a better job of getting defenders out quickly to confront Coman and Costa on the wings. Bayern are finding the dangerous duo too easily. Neuer is forced to rescue Alaba with a clearance 30 yards from his goal after a short back pass.
CHANCE! Kimmich has enjoyed a good start and he wins a free kick in a good position. Costa delivers the ball into a great area, but Gotze can only volley wide.
YELLOW CARD! Bayern lose the ball with most of their players high up the pitch. Fernandes skips past Boateng, who brings him down on the halfway line to halt the counter.
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 2-0 DINAMO ZAGREB (LEWANDOWSKI)
Dreadful from Dinamo Zagreb. Benkovic is given an awkward pass to control at the back and his decision to head the ball comes back to haunt him. Thiago capitalises on the mistake to sprint away before squaring the ball to Lewandowski, who taps in. Make that eight goals in three games from the Polish striker.
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 3-0 DINAMO ZAGREB (GOTZE)
It is going to be a long night for Dinamo Zagreb. Excellent football from Bayern, but it is another goalkeeping mistake from Eduardo. Gotze comes into the box and exchanges passes with Coman before unleashing the low volley. The effort is straight at Eduardo, who somehow allows the ball to hit his hand and leg before rolling over the line. Bayern certainly do not need those kind of gifts.
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 4-0 DINAMO ZAGREB (LEWANDOWSKI)
Oh dear, this could get very embarrassing. Lewandowski gets a run on his marker to connect with Costa's cross and his effort hits the underside of the crossbar before bouncing over the line. It takes a few moments for the decision to be made, but it was certainly a goal. Bayern are destroying the visitors!
SAVE! A quick heads up Dinamo - do not give Alaba too much room. He does not need a second invitation to shoot from 25 yards as Eduardo pushes a powerful strike to safety.
The attacks keep on coming. Lahm does well to reach the byline before lobbing a cross into the box, but Gotze is unable to bring it down as Dinamo once again fail to clear a ball in the danger zone.
This just is not good enough from Dinamo Zagreb. Yes, of course they are underdogs but Bayern are being gifted space and time on the ball, which is just an invitation for pressure. Guardiola is the most relaxed man in Bavaria at the moment.
UPDATE: There is a shock on the cards in Group F. Bayern are cruising to a comfortable advantage at the top of the group, but Arsenal are struggling once again. They currently trail 1-0 to Olympiacos after Felipe Pardo's strike in North London.
Better from Dinamo. They keep players close to Coman and Costa, rather than press Boateng, who fires a hopeful effort over from 30 yards.
A rare quiet spell is ended as Costa cuts inside from the wing before going back out to find Bernat, whose inviting ball is cleared behind at the back post. Dinamo just have no way of stopping to hosts.
Bayern are not carving open Dinamo quite as often as they were, but the long spells of possession just look easy for Guardiola's side. Thiago and Gotze are the conductors in this orchestra. Dominant.
Bayern continue to dictate the tempo, and the visitors are failing to get close to the midfielders. That would be understandable if there was a solid base, but without it, there must be some pressing.
HALF TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 4-0 DINAMO ZAGREB
It has been like watching Bayern in a training session in the opening 45 minutes. Dinamo have barely had a kick and Bayern have capitalised on every mistake to race into the most comfortable of half-time leads. If the hosts step up the tempo again, it really would not be a surprise to see them score seven of eight.
For every moment of Bayern brilliance, there has been some awful defending from Dinamo. Costa and Coman will not believe the amount of space they have been given, while Thiago looks a threat every time he is given the time to find his teammates. Dinamo must change something. It could be a case of adding another defensive figure because this could get embarrassing.
UPDATE: Bayern are heading for a three-point advantage is the scores stay the same in Group F. Arsenal hit back at the Emirates Stadium with a Theo Walcott equaliser, but a dreadful mistake from David Ospina has handed Olympiacos a 2-1 lead at the break. You can also follow
live text coverage of that game.
RESTART! The game is back underway at the Allianz Arena. Antonio Jezina appeared to be getting ready to replace fellow goalkeeper Eduardo, but the latter is safe for now. Bayern make a change as Javi Martinez replaces Bernat. Alaba should move to left-back. Zagreb bring on Goncalo Santos for Benkovic, who had a nightmare opening 45 minutes.
It is a good opportunity for Martinez to get more minutes under his belt after spending over a year watching his teammates while recovering from a knee injury. He's seeing plenty of the ball early in the second half and, as ever, he looks very composed.
Neuer never ceases to amaze. He charges off his line and looks set to clear under pressure from Fernandes, but he decides to take a touch instead before going past his rival to begin another move. Brilliant from the sweeper keeper.
Dinamo are working a bit harder off the ball, but their decision-making in possession is just not good enough. Santos hits an effort straight against his marker from 25 yards when the visitors eventually get men forward. Too easy for the Bayern defence.
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 5-0 DINAMO ZAGREB (LEWANDOWSKI)
Special from Bayern, stunning from Lewandowski. It is now 10 goals in the space of a week for one of the stars of world football. Thiago should get most of the credit for attracting the attention of defenders before exchanging passes with Costa, who finds his teammate with a clever flick. When the ball eventually reaches Lewandowski, he turns cleverly and chips Eduardo. Superb!
SUB! Guardiola makes his second change. When you're 5-0 down with over minutes to play, who do you not want to see? Thomas Muller is high up on that list. Costa gets a standing ovation as he jogs off.
SUB! Machado is probably not too unhappy to be coming off as young midfielder Marko Rog enters the game for the visitors.
Gotze loses the ball and Dinamo respond by getting the ball to Soudani. He does well to keep the ball under pressure from Boateng and Martinez before firing at Neuer from 25 yards.
SUB! Bayern use their final substitution as Rafinha comes on for Boateng. Alaba looks to be staying out wide, with the new man joining Martinez in the centre of defence.
YELLOW CARD! Pivaric is unable to get close to Thiago on the wing as he hacks him down to pick up a booking.
Lewandowski fancies a fourth goal as he collects from Alaba before seeing his effort deflected to safety from the edge of the box. Angelo Henriquez then comes on to replace Pjaca.
CHANCE! Lewandowski probably should have a fourth of the night when he beats his marker to Alaba's cross, but he is unable to get a firm enough touch on the ball to convert.
Lovely play from the substitute Rog as he skips past Kimmich before playing a clever pass to Fernandes, who sends a speculative strike over from long range. Henriquez follows his teammate's example with a wayward strike of his own moments later.
CLOSE! Muller clips the ball to Gotze, who cuts inside before firing just wide of the post from a good position. I'm not sure Eduardo would have got there had it been on target.
CHANCE! Dinamo lose the ball in midfield and they are a mess at the back as Bayern break. Muller plays through Lewandowski, who should probably shoot with his first touch but he attempts to take the ball past Eduardo and is stopped by the Portuguese goalkeeper.
Thiago has just been too good tonight. His clever touch on the edge of the box earns Bayern a free kick, which Lewandowski sends over the crossbar.
YELLOW CARD! Coman delights the crowd with some brilliant skill to leave two defenders behind him, before going down under a poor tackle from Ademi. It's a third booking of the match.
Bayern are dominating possession as we approach the final whistle, but there is no pressure to rush any attacks as they continue to simply bully the visitors. Guardiola must be very happy ahead of the meeting with Dortmund at the weekend.
Thiago really does deserve a goal. It's difficult not to give man of the match to Lewandowski, but the former Barcelona midfielder has been fantastic as he fires over from the edge of the box after good work from Coman.
Lewandowski continues to be a nuisance as he wins a free kick while attempting to control a lobbed ball forward. Thiago steps up, but his effort is straight at the relieved Eduardo.
CHANCE! Lewandowski really should have finished the night with another goal. Bayern move the ball brilliantly as Coman eventually releases Lahm, whose cross looks set to be tapped in but Lewandowski is unable to make the right contact in front of goal. Two minutes of added time to be played.
FULL TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 5-0 DINAMO ZAGREB
It's all over at the Allianz Arena and Dinamo's players must be delighted to hear the final whistle. A performance full of defensive mistakes and goalkeeping errors played into the hands of Bayern, who took full advantage to cruise to an emphatic triumph. Six points and eight goals from their opening two Group F games.
Our live text coverage comes to an end now, but keep an eye out for analysis and ratings tonight. Goodnight everyone.