Kimmich rocket fires Bayern to Lokomotiv win

Lokomotiv Moscow 1-2 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 Goretzka (13'), 1-1 Miranchuk (70'), 1-2 Kimmich (79')

Manuel Neuer was made to work by Fyodor Smolov’s header inside the opening three minutes, but it didn’t take long for Bayern to take charge of proceedings. After Robert Lewandowski directed a Kimmich corner wide with his shoulder, having seen it very late, the holders forged ahead. Returning midfielder Corentin Tolisso was the architect with a superb diagonal ball for Benjamin Pavard, whose inch-perfect cross was headed home by Goretzka. The same combination prised open the Loko defence once more midway through the half, but 2019/20 Champions League final match-winner Kingsley Coman’s strike came off a post. Daniil Kulikov tested Neuer from range, before Tolisso headed wide.

Hansi Flick introduced Javi Martinez and Serge Gnabry at the start of the second half. The fresh legs added new impetus to the Bayern attack, with Martinez heading a Kimmich free-kick over. Gnabry then teed up an effort for Kimmich, whose close-range effort was deflected behind. An offside decision, confirmed by the VAR, denied Lewandowski the chance to double Bayern’s tally from the penalty spot, before Coman ballooned over from seven yards. Anton Miranchuk levelled on the counter moments later, and the Russians might have taken the lead had Ze Luis played in Rifat Zhemaletdinov instead of going for goal and shooting wide. Kimmich duly showed the Cape Verdean how it should be done, firing in on the turn from 20 yards to preserve Bayern’s perfect start to their European title defence.

• Bayern have maximum points after their opening Group A fixtures, and face Red Bull Salzburg next.
• Goretzka has scored four goals in eight competitive appearances this season.
• Kimmich added a goal to the assist he produced in the 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid.
• Since losing to Liverpool in the 2018/19 last 16, Bayern have won all 13 of their Champions League matches to the tune of 49 goals scored and just nine conceded.
• Including their extra-time win over Sevilla in the Super Cup, Bayern are on a 14-match winning run in UEFA competition.
• Thomas Müller made his 545th competitive appearance for Bayern, taking him level with Klaus Augenthaler. Since the club's promotion to the Bundesliga in 1965, only Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck (547) and Gerd Müller (565) have made more.

Lokomotiv: Guilherme - Zhivoglyadov, Corluka (c) (Rajkovic 46'), Murilo, Rybus - Ignatyev (Zhemaletdinov 76'), Kulikov (Lisakovich 89'), Anton Miranchuk, Krychowiak, Smolov (Rybchinskii 75') - Ze Luis
Unused subs: Savin, Kochenkov, Lystsov, Eder, Kamano, Silyanovic, Mukhin
Out: Barinov (knee)
Coach: Marko Nikolic

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Süle, Alaba, Hernandez - Kimmich, Goretzka (Martinez 46') - Müller (Gnabry 46'), Tolisso, Coman (Costa 69') - Lewandowski
Unused subs: Nübel, Hoffmann, Sane, Choupo-Moting, Boateng, Sarr, Roca, Musiala
Out: Davies (ankle), Nianzou (hamstring), Sieb (ankle)
Coach: Hansi Flick

Lokomotiv 1-2 Bayern
Goals: 0-1 Goretzka (13'), 1-1 Miranchuk (70'), 1-2 Kimmich (79')

Lokomotiv: Guilherme - Zhivoglyadov, Corluka (Rajkovic 46'), Murilo, Rybus - Ignatyev (Zhemaletdinov 76'), Kulikov (Lisakovich 89'), Anton Miranchuk, Krychowiak, Smolov (Rybchinskii 75') - Ze Luis
Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Süle, Alaba, Hernandez - Kimmich, Goretzka (Martinez 46') - Müller (Gnabry 46'), Tolisso, Coman (Costa 69') - Lewandowski

FULL-TIME! LOKOMOTIV 1-2 BAYERN

Bayern are made hard to work for a 13th successive Champions League win, but Kimmich's moment of magic is enough. Two from two in Group A for the holders - job done in Moscow.

89' TIME ADDED ON

Hansi Flick looks pensive to say the least as the board goes up to indicate four minutes of added time. Bayern lead, but it's hardly been a vintage display. Still, that is the stuff of champions...

80' NEUER DOES HIS JOB

Lokomotiv exploit Bayern's high line once again. Zhemaletdinov sizes up Neuer's goal, but the Bayern custodian is up to the task. Important save, within seconds of that stunning Kimmich strike.

79' GOAAAAAL! LOKOMOTIV 1-2 BAYERN

Bayern retake the lead, and boy did they need that! Martinez lays off the ball to Kimmich on the edge of the 'D' - he swivels and smashes into the bottom corner. The keeper didn't move.

78' WIDE FROM ZE LUIS

Lokomotiv are through on the Bayern goal with a man over. Ze Luis has time to pick his spot - or pass to Zhemaletdinov. He takes the selflish route, and drags his effort wide. Huge chance.

76' LOKO DOUBLE CHANGE

Zhemaletdinov and Rybchinskii are on for the hosts, with Ignatyev and Smolov making way.

72' LEWANDOWSKI!

Lewandowski with the header - but it's straight at Guilherme. The Bayern striker then sizes up a free-kick, which is blocked by Rajkovic. More urgency from Bayern since that Loko equaliser...

70' GOAL! LOKOMOTIV 1-1 BAYERN

Ignatyev goes over the top for Ze Luis, who is all alone. He plays it into the near post, where Miranchuk applies the touch to fire past Neuer.

69' COMAN OVER AND OUT

Coman's last involvement is to balloon an effort over from eight yards. Douglas Costa replaces the French winger.

64' PENALTY NOT GIVEN!

Lewandowski goes to ground and thinks he has a penalty. He's about to take, before the referee consults the VAR. The decision is reversed due to an offside in the build-up against Coman.

61' ALABA COVERS

Ze Luis tears forward into the Bayern area, but his decision to delay the shot allows the back-tracking Alaba to intercept. Superb defending.

57' ALMOST TWO!

Gnabry opens up the Loko defence and finds Kimmich in the area. He fires goalwards, but Rajkovic puts himself in the firing line to deny a certain goal. Guilherme is so impressed he gives his teammate a peck on the cheek. That's love.

55' ZIPPY COMAN

Bayern build patiently, before Coman injects a bit of trademark pace into proceedings. He goes round the outside, unleashing an effort that very nearly catches out Guilherme at his near post. Bayern dictating the tempo early in this second half...

50' OVER FROM MARTINEZ

Hernandez clashes with Murilo down by the byline. The referee gives a free-kick to Bayern, which Kimmich takes, finding Martinez, who heads over.

SECOND HALF! LOKOMOTIV 0-1 BAYERN

The ball's rolling again in Moscow. Martinez and Gnabry have replaced Goretzka and Müller, while Rajkovic is on for the injured Corluka for the hosts.

HALF-TIME! LOKOMOTIV 0-1 BAYERN

Goretzka's goal is the difference at the break. Coman has also struck the woodwork for a superior Bayern unit.

45' TIME ADDED ON

Sixty seconds for Lokomotiv to hold out. Pavard crosses for the unmarked Tolisso, who can't direct his header on target.

43' CORLUKA CROCKED

Loko captain Vedran Corluka is down, signalling to the bench. It looks like a hamstring strain - he won't be able to continue, but it looks like the hosts are going to see out the half with 10 men.

42' NEUER TAKING NO CHANCES

Neuer is called on to tip a shot from Kulikov behind for a corner, which comes to nothing. The Bayern captain would have to be half asleep to be beaten from there.

41' PAVARD!

Hernandez drives forward, twisting, turning and delaying his cross. He eventually releases it and finds Pavard, who thunders an effort straight at Guilherme.

38' NO TROUBLE FOR NEUER

Krychowiak fires comfortably wide of Neuer's goal from 25 yards. The Bayern No.1 hasn't had all that much to do in Moscow.

36' ALABA RECOVERS

David Alaba's first touch evades him, but he recovers his composure before a Loko player can profit. Bayern with 66 percent possession as the Austrian loops a cross into the arms of Guilherme.

27' NEUER SWEEPS UP

Lokomotiv win a second ball in the middle of pitch and proceed to play over the top of the Bayern defence. The flag stays down as Ze Luis gives chase, but Neuer is out in a flash to clear.

25' COMAN THREAT

Bayern come again with Coman, but his cross is too close to Lokomotiv goalkeeper Guilherme. The Frenchman is on the receiving end of the champions' next move as Tolisso pings another ball onto the boot of Pavard. He finds Coman, who fires against the foot of the post. Almost a carbon copy of the opening goal. Bayern are purring...

18' FRENCH CONNECTION

Tolisso's passing range is causing Lokomotiv some real problems. He's always on the look out for fellow Frenchmen Hernandez, Coman and Pavard in the wide areas - and has a habit of finding them!

13' GOAAAAL! LOKOMOTIV 0-1 BAYERN

Bayern strike first. Pavard pings a superb volleyed ball onto the head of Leon Goretzka, who steers the ball home. Superb diagonal ball to start with from Tolisso - it's been coming!

10 - OVER FROM HERNANDEZ

Pavard advances up the right and crosses into the box. Lokomotiv clear only as far as Hernandez, who wellies over. Signs Bayern are beginning to click...

8' LEWANDOWSKI!

Kimmich whips in the ensuing corner, but it takes Lewandowski by surprise and he is unable to manipulate his body sufficiently enough to make something of the opening. Massive let-off for Lokomotiv.

7' COMAN LIVELY

Kingsley Coman, who scored two and assisted another against Atleti, is making his presence felt whenever Bayern go forward. The Frenchman creates a decent opening for Leon Goretzka, but his effort is deflected behind for a corner.

4' NEUER SAVES

Anton Miranchuk gets in behind the Bayern defence and crosses for Smolov. He's unchallenged in the area, but heads straight at Neuer. Can't imagine the hosts will get many chances like that one...

KICK-OFF!

Bayern get us under way in Moscow!

LOKO LEGS

Ignatiev, Magkeev, Miranchuk, Smolov und Ze Luis are all recalled to the Moscow team following their 2-1 loss to Rotor at the weekend. The Russians drew 2-2 with Salzburg in their Group A opener...

MR. BAYERN

Thomas Müller is making his 545th competitive appearance for Bayern, taking him level with Klaus Augenthaler. Since the club's promotion to the Bundesliga in 1965, only Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck (547) and Gerd Müller (565) have made more.

BAYERN BENCH

As well as Sane and Gnabry - or, 'Sanabry' - Bayern have the likes of Douglas Costa, Jamal Musiala, Javi Martinez, Marco Roca and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on the bench. Safe to say there's arguably no better squad in Europe right now...

TOURNAMENT MENTALITY

What's more, Bayern are unbeaten in their last 13 away matches in the Champions League, and haven't lost in 17 group games.

FORM

Bayern are chasing a record-extending 13th straight win in the Champions League. With 43 goals all told, they ended up just two short of Barcelona's record 45-strike tally last season, and took one of Europe's toughest nuts to crack apart, in Atleti. Lokomotiv, on the other hand, have lost five of their last six home group games.

FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS

There are easier away days than trips to Russia, but at least Bayern don't have sub-zero conditions to contend with. It's roughly 8C in Moscow right now; December averages are more like -4C.

FLICK'S TAKE

Despite Bayern's ominous form of late, Flick expects a tough examination of his team's credentials. His team selection alone tells you he's taking nothing for granted.

"Lokomotiv are one of the form teams in the Russian league," he said of the division's fourth-placed club "They've conceded the fewest goals and have very good players in attack with Smolov and Eder. We have to watch out and be focussed."

THE LOKOMOTIV VIEW

“We're playing against the best team in Europe," warned Lokomotiv head coach Marko Nikolic in his pre-match press conference. "Bayern are so dangerous. They have quick attacking players and are dangerous from set pieces. On top of that, you can’t forget Lewandowski. He’s one of the best strikers in Europe."

A pretty fair assessment, but shouldn't that be the best striker in Europe?!

SANE IN TOW

Leroy Sane missed out against Atleti, but marked his return from a two-game injury lay-off with a spectacular goal from the bench in the win over Frankfurt. The Germany international can expect to feature at some point in Moscow.

LEWANGOALSKI

Lokomotiv might have been licking their lips at the sight of Lewandowski leaving the field of play in the 68th minute at the weekend. The Bayern man is known for his unwavering desire to start every match - no matter the opponent - but had already made it known to Flick he'd like a breather at some point. His work was done, in any case, the UEFA Best Player having put away a perfect hat-trick. Fully fit and firing, LewanGOALski arrives in Russia with a Europe-leading 35 goals to his name this calendar year alone...

BAYERN TEAM NEWS

No messing about from Flick, who names the same side that overpowered Diego Simeone's Atleti. That means recalls in defence for Benjamin Pavard and Niklas Süle - rested against Frankfurt - and midfielder Corentin Tolisso, who is serving a domestic ban. Serge Gnabry is back in the squad, but Alphonso Davies it out with ankle ligament damage.

WELCOME!

Holders Bayern Munich are in Russia for the next step of their Champions League title defence. Hansi Flick's side are huge favourites after beating Atletico Madrid 4-0 on Matchday 1. They warmed up for this one by thumping Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0...