Bayern reach last 16 as Lewa nets again

HOLDERS Bayern Munich booked their place in the Champions League last 16 yesterday as Robert Lewandowski claimed his 71st goal in the competition in a 3-1 home win over Salzburg.

Lewandowski scored just before the break at the Allianz Arena to draw level with Real Madrid great Raul in third on the Champions League list of top goalscorers.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo, who has netted 131 times, and Lionel Messi with 118 goals, have scored more than Poland star Lewandowski.

Bayern earned their 15th straight Champions League win to qualify for the knock-out stage as Group A winners, as secondplaced Atletico Madrid drew 0-0 with Lokomotiv Moscow.

“It’s important that we’re group winners. That’s a clear step in the right direction,” said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer, who was outstanding in goal.

Hosts Bayern doubled their lead just after the break when Kingsley Coman’s shot deflected in off Salzburg defender Maximilian Woeber.

Leroy Sane claimed their third goal just after Bayern were reduced to 10 men when midfielder Marc Roca was sent off on his Champions League debut.

Roca lasted just over an hour on only his third appearance since joining from Espanyol in October.

Salzburg pulled a goal back when forward Mergim Berisha got in behind the Bayern defence to net on 73 minutes.

Bayern laboured early on, but did not waste the first chance which came their way when

Thomas Muller’s shot was only parried by Salzburg goalkeeper Cican Stankovic and Lewandowski was on hand to turn in the rebound on 43 minutes.

It was 2-0 seven minutes after the break when Coman fired in a speculative shot which took a wicked deflection off Woeber’s boot.

Having already been booked for an earlier foul on Zlatko Junuzovic, Roca was dismissed on 66 minutes for a late challenge on the Salzburg midfielder.

It made little difference as Bayern grabbed their third goal when Sane powered home a header from Coman’s cross.

Sane was at fault for Salzburg’s consolation when he gave the ball away in his own half which led to Berisha getting in behind the defence. – AFP