Bayern win, Leverkusen lose in UEFA Champions League

Source: Xinhua| 2019-09-19 09:24:13|Editor: ZD
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BERLIN, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich reaped their 16th straight win in their opening game after beating Red Star Belgrade 3-0, while Lokomotiv Moscow upset Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 with two first-half goals to take all three points at the first round in the Champions League's group stage on Wednesday.

The German record-holding champions assumed control from the starting whistle while the visitors kept all their men behind the ball to make the hosts' life difficult.

Bayern had to wait until the 21st minute before Philippe Coutinho produced the first clear-cut opportunity after coming close from the edge of the box.

Niko Kovac's men eventually broke the deadlock with 34 minutes played when Ivan Perisic's cross met Kingsley Coman, who marked the opener with a diving header from five meters.

Bayern gained momentum and thought they had doubled the lead six minutes later but Coutinho's goal was ruled offside.

After the restart, Bayern immediately took the reins and came to a number of chances but yet they were unable to overcome Belgrade goalkeeper Milan Borjan in the opening period of the second half.

Bayern posed a threat in front of Borjan's goal but Perisic rattled only the woodwork before Robert Lewandowski missed the target with a sideways scissor-kick at the hour mark.

Red Star Belgrade almost punished the host's wastefulness but Marko Marin pulled wide from promising position moments later.

The visitors' chance was a wakening call for Bayern as Lewandowski capitalized on a moment of madness by the visitors' defense to scramble home the 2-0 lead from very close range.

However, the hosts were not done with the scoring and added another goal to their lead as substitute Thomas Muller benefitted on a chipped free kick to volley the ball past Borjan for the 3-0 final score.

With the win, Bayern Munich lead Group B with 3 points followed by Olympiacos, Tottenham Hotspur and Red Star Belgrade.

Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen staged an uninspired performance and suffered a 2-1 loss to Lokomotiv Moscow.

Moscow caught a bright start on the road as a misplaced throw in allowed Grzegorz Krychowiak to slot home the opener.

Despite the setback, Leverkusen responded very well and restored parity thanks to the helping hand from Moscow defender Benedikt Howedes, who deflected Charles Aranguiz' shot on target into the wrong goal.

Lokomotiv Moscow remained unimpressed and had the last laugh as Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky threw the ball accidentally into the path of Dimitri Barinov, who made no mistake to get his name on the scoring sheets and to put the result beyond doubt.

With the result, Lokomotiv Moscow sit atop the standings with 3 points followed by Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Leverkusen.

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