FC Bayern München have advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League thanks to a 7-0 win over Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk. An early penalty from Thomas Müller in the 4th minute sent Munich on their way, with defender Alexander Kutscher sent off for a professional foul. Jérôme Boateng tapped home in the 34th minute to extend the lead, before Franck Ribéry (49’) got on the scoresheet and Müller added his second (51’). Holger Badstuber headed home in the 63rd minute, before Robert Lewandowski (75’) and Mario Götze (87’) rounded off the win.
After the 0-0 draw in the first leg, manager Pep Guardiola sent an attacking side out onto the pitch, which paid off early on: After good work from Arjen Robben and Ribéry, Mario Götze was played through on goal but was brought down by defender Kutscher. Scottish referee William Collum had no doubt and awarded the fastest red card in Champions League history and a penalty to the hosts, which Müller slotted away coolly.
Robben forced off due to injury
Donetsk’s manager Mircea Lucescu’s plans went out the window and had to bring off attacking midfielder Taison in place of defender Sergei Krywzow. Any hope of them creating chances to score was diminished. Guardiola then had to bring off the injured Robben in the 19th minute due to a hamstring injury and he was replaced by Sebastian Rode.
Guardiola could have brought on one of his favourite players. The manager unexpectedly included captain Philipp Lahm in the squad, 113 days after breaking his ankle but the World Champion remained on the bench. Lahm, who picked up his injury on 18th November during an international break, returned to team training only two days ago.
Müller fires a brace
After taking the lead and the sending off, FC Bayern were unable to capitalise early on. They lacked composure and their passing was inaccurate at times. However, they did create chances: A cross from Rafinha was headed onto the post by Robert Lewandowski in the 24th minute. Four minutes later, Ribéry’s shot was blocked by the Donetsk defence, but Boateng was on hand to tap home from close range.
The hosts really turned up the heat in the space of three minutes after the restart. Ribéry fired home after stepping off the byline following a corner before turning provider for Müller to tap home into an empty net in the 51st minute to make it 4-0.
Badstuber, Lewandowski and Götze round off the scoring
Luiz Adriano had the first meaningful chance for the visitors in the 55th minute but his shot went just wide of the Bayern goal. But the fifth goal came at the other end as Badstuber headed home from inside the six-yard box. Shortly before, Shakhtar goalkeeper Andrij Pyatov kept out Juan Bernat’s low shot (62’).
Bayern striker Lewandowski then got himself on the scoresheet as he got on the end of a wonderful pass from Bastian Schweinsteiger in behind the defence and slotted home to make it 6-0. Götze rounded off the scoring just before the final whistle as he fired past Pyatov at his near post.