Bayern keep direct round‑of‑16 hopes alive after beating Atletico

FC Bayern München Noten – the Bavarians travelled to Madrid and secured a 2‑0 victory over Atletico Madrid, keeping their hopes of a direct round‑of‑16 place in the Champions League alive. The win came despite missing several key attackers and saw the side dominate early phases before breaking the deadlock after the interval.

Bayern dominated from the first whistle but struggled to create clear chances in the opening half. After the break, Lennart Karl struck in the 54th minute and Konrad Laimer added a second in the 74th, sealing the win. Nach four matchdays the Bavarians sit on eight points in provisional eighth place, a position that would be sufficient for a direct round‑of‑16 berth. Their next challenge arrives on 25 November away at OSC Lille.

Coach and squad selection

Interim head coach Aaron Danks was forced to omit injured forwards Luis Diaz, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry and Ismael Saibari. Nevertheless, veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and midfielder Michael Olise earned places in the starting eleven, joined by centre‑back Jonathan Tah and surprise starter Tom Bischof.

Player ratings

Manuel Neuer recovered from a foot injury in time to start, replacing Jonas Urbig. He earned a rating of 3 after making a crucial save from Marcos Llorente in the 66th minute.

Konrad Laimer delivered an outstanding performance, again showing his attacking intent after the 2‑2 draw with Borussia Dortmund. He was awarded a rating of 1.5 for his powerful goal in the 74th minute.

Dayot Upamecano was extremely resolute in defence and dangerous forward, winning the ball that led to Karl’s chance in the 23rd minute. His rating of 1 reflects a long‑range effort that hit the bar and a headed goal in the 82nd minute that was controversially disallowed.

Jonathan Tah, despite recent weaker displays, was surprisingly selected over Min‑Jae Kim and initially wobbled, allowing Atletico’s first dangerous chance in the second minute. He improved as the game progressed and received a rating of 3.

Josip Stanisic was almost as attacking on the left as Laimer on the right, even showing a heel trick early on, while remaining solid at the back. He earned a rating of 2.5.

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Joshua Kimmich was often on the ball and produced several good passes, with a long‑range shot in the 46th minute that tested Jan Oblak. He was given a rating of 2.5.

Tom Bischof, alongside Tah, was a small surprise starter who worked hard and won several balls; his long‑range effort set up Karl’s opening goal. He received a rating of 2.5.

Michael Olise, still feeling the effects of the Dortmund match, frequently found himself in promising positions on the right wing but was often stopped by Atletico’s tight defence or fell to the ground. He persisted and earned a rating of 3.5.

Lennart Karl, amid public debate about his lifestyle, started because of the squad shortage and created a good chance in the 23rd minute before eventually forcing the ball to Robin Le Normand and contributing to the lead. Auf a direct qualification, his performance merited a rating of 2.

Alphonso Davies began on the left wing due to a lack of alternatives but struggled to find his rhythm. He was given a rating of 4.

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Harry Kane, after a missed penalty against Dortmund, remained goalless but produced a curling shot in the 27th minute and missed further chances in the 36th and 52nd minutes; he integrated well into Bayern’s combination play and set up Laimer’s second goal. He earned a rating of 3.

Nathaniel Brown entered in the 68th minute for Karl, took up the number ten role and failed to beat Jan Oblak in the 86th minute. He was awarded a rating of 3.5.

Min‑Jae Kim replaced Davies in the 79th minute; no rating was recorded.

Sacha Boey came on in the 89th minute for Laimer; no rating was recorded.