Munich: German giants and defending champions Bayern Munich breezed to a 3-0 victory over CSKA Moscow in their Champions League opener at a packed Allianz Arena here.
The Bavarians ensured a lightning start on home soil Tuesday as David Alba's hammering free kick goal from 30 metres floundered in the back of the net with just three minutes on the clock, reports Xinhua.
The Russian champions were unable to respond to Bayern's attacks and pressure as Mario Mandzukic kept CSKA's defense busy. The visitors needed 34 minutes to work out their first chance when Vitinho tested Bayern keeper Manueler Neuer.
However, Bayern let the ball do the work against passive visitors to double the lead four minutes before the break. Arjen Robben curled a free kick into the box to find Mandzukic's head at the near side post.
The hosts controlled the proceedings on the pitch after all the spectators had to wait until the 68th minute to celebrate the third goal of the match as Robben utilised a lob into the box by Alaba to beat Moscow's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev into the bottom right.
Thus, Bayern sit atop the standings of group D together with Manchester City followed by CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen.
"We played well, especially in the first half. I'm very proud of my team, such a match is not easy after the last season," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said.
"We suffered an early goal against which caused us a lot of difficulties. Anyway, we had only a few chances," felt CSKA coach Leonid Slutski.
