Bayern Munich eased into the German Cup third round

Holders Bayern Munich eased into the German Cup third round with a comfortable 3-1 win at Hamburg SV on Wednesday to continue their unbeaten domestic run as they prepare for Saturday's league clash against Borussia Dortmund.

Robert Lewandowski firing in on the rebound after a Heiko Westermann mistake had set up the hosts' lead in the seventh minute.

Bayern, undefeated in the league as well as the Champions League so far, then struck just before the break after an earlier effort had been ruled off side.

Austria international David Alaba found space outside the box and rifled in a long range effort that took keeper Jaroslav Drobny by surprise on the stroke of halftime.

Franck Ribery, back in the starting line-up after a lengthy injury break, killed off any lingering comeback hopes from Hamburg, seeing his deflected shot beat Drobny in the 55th.

Ribery also had a close encounter with a Hamburg fan who stormed the pitch in stoppage time, slapping the Frenchman with a Hamburg scarf and making an obscene gesture.

"I did not see him coming but it's ok," said a smiling Ribery. "It was important for me to play again after being injured. But it was more important for us to win and advance."

Hamburg managed a late consolation goal through Pierre-Michel Lasogga with a header at the far post after a deft chip from Raffael Van der Vaart.

Manuel Neuer Layak di Anugerahkan 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or kata Andriy Shevchenko

Dalam satu sessi temu bual BT Sport, bekas penerima anugerah FIFA Ballon d'Or, Andriy Shevchenko menyatakan sokongannya terhadap penjaga Gol Jerman dan Bayern Munich, Manuel Neuer. Menurutnya, Neuer sememang layak memenangi anugerah itu berbanding C. Ronaldo atau L. Messi.

"I will give it to Neuer the goalkeeper. Yeah. He's amazing. He's incredible."

Neuer saved the day for Bayern - Muller

The Germany international feels the shot stopper played a major role in the Bundesliga champions' draw with Monchengladbach

Thomas Muller has taken the time to praise Manuel Neuer in the wake of Bayern Munich's scoreless Bundesliga draw with Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday evening.

Lucien Favre's men created a number of good chances to end Bayern's unbeaten run this league campaign, yet Neuer proved to be too much of an obstacle for the Monchengladbach attackers.

"Obviously Gladbach had two or three chances on the break and that’s what you’d expect," Muller told the official Bayern website.

"They’re very well organised and their transitions are very quick, so you’ll never prevent them getting a few shots away, but Manuel was extremely alert.

"Otherwise we played a very good game."

Neuer, meanwhile, felt Bayern were in control throughout the game, but failed to create any chances of note.

"We had it under control in the first half but failed to create any clear-cut chances. That’s why it’s ended 0-0."

Bayern remain first in the Bundesliga table with 21 points from nine games, holding a four-point lead over Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg and Monchengladbach.

Reaction to M'Gladbach v Bayern

Bayern maintained their unbeaten start to the season and kept their lead at the top of the Bundesliga standings at four points thanks to a goalless draw in the big game of the weekend when the men from Munich travelled to second-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach. “I’m very, very proud of my team,” commented Pep Guardiola, saying he was “pleased” with the performance and a share of the points. Philipp Lahm agreed: “It’s a good result for us.”

Pep Guardiola: “I’m very, very proud of my team and the way we played. We played very controlled football and in the first half we prevented them hitting us on the break even once. As you’d expect we were tired in the second half. We wanted to win but we slightly lost our shape and they hit us more often on the counter-attack. Overall I’m satisfied with our performance and the point.”

Philipp Lahm: “It’s a good result for us. We didn’t create that many clear-cut chances but we had the match under control. We came here to win, and everyone could see that, even at the end. We’re four points clear so everything’s OK.”

Thomas Müller: “Obviously Gladbach had two or three chances on the break, and that’s what you’d expect. They’re very well organised and their transitions are very quick, so you’ll never prevent them getting a few shots away, but Manuel was extremely alert. Otherwise we played a very good game.”

Manuel Neuer: “We had it under control in the first half but failed to create any clear-cut chances. That’s why it’s ended 0-0.”

Lucien Favre (Borussia Mönchengladbach coach): “I’m satisfied. We defended intelligently and kept the fouls to a minimum. Bayern applied a lot of pressure, they’re extremely dangerous and they have a solution to everything. But we knew our big chance lay in getting at them on the break. We might have scored in the second half, but Bayern were very dangerous too.”

Roma 1-7 Bayern Munchen: Brilliant Bayern Brutalise Giallorossi in Rome

​Bayern Munich produced an incredible display to sweep AS Roma aside on Tuesday night, in their Champions League Group E encounter. 

The German champions cruised out of the Stadio Olimpico with a 7-1 win - after they hit five goals before the break - leaving the home team completely shell-shocked by the 36th minute.

Bayern have maintained their perfect record in the group and sit on nine points after three games. They will qualify from the group if they can win again in the reverse fixture which follows Tuesday's clash.

The result is also a boost for Manchester City, who are now set to fight it out with Roma for second place in the group. City blew a two-goal lead earlier in the night against CSKA Moscow, with their match ending 2-2.

Bayern started brightly, and Arjen Robben lined up directly against former Chelsea team mate Ashley Cole down the flank. The Dutchman got the edge on the Englishman early on though, as a trademark cut in from the left side of the box beat Cole all ends up. Robben fired a curling shot into the far corner for the opener.

Roma nearly hit back immediately though Gervinho, but the Ivorian was denied by the ever dominant Manuel Neuer in the visitors' goal. Neuer was to have an excellent night in goal himself - particularly in the second half - but the players in front of him were to make their statement first.

The fluidity of the Bayern attack was too difficult for Rudi Garcia's side to handle. A sublime move and series of interchanges led to the second goal in the 23rd minute, as Mario Gotze finished off clinically following a one-two with Thomas Muller.

​​​​More of the same followed a couple of minutes later, as Polish striker Robert Lewandowski got himself on the end of a cross from the left side by Juan Bernat. The match was over by that point, but Bayern's insatiable appetite for goals meant that worse was to come for the home side.

Robben added a fourth before a questionable penalty award for handball followed, with Thomas Muller making it five from the spot by half time. 

Roma, to their credit, attempted to fight their way back into the game after the break. Garcia's half time team talk looked to make a big difference to the team mentality, and Gervinho was the man to spearhead a series of attacks. He hit the post eight minutes after the break, before Neuer denied substitute Alessandro Florenzi a minute later.

Neuer though, would pull off one of the greatest reaction saves you will be likely to see in any match this season soon after. Gervinho was the man denied again, after the former Arsenal man fired a point blank volley at goal from inside the six yard box. 

​​The player many consider the best goalkeeper in the world though stayed typically big and smothered the volley - even nearly catching the ball - to keep his clean sheet intact.

Gervinho would eventually score with a header from point blank range, but Bayern would add in two more goals of their own in another frantic two minutes, with the match ending with a resounding 7-1 scoreline. Goals from Franck Ribery and Xherdan Shaqiri rounded off an incredible night for Pep Guardiola's side.

The defeat for Roma equals their heaviest ever European defeat, and they visit Munich in the return fixture in two weeks time. 

ROMA (4-3-3): De Sanctis; Torosidis, Yanga-Mbiwa, Manolas, Cole (Holebas 46); Nainggolan, De Rossi, Pjanic (Ljajic 79); Iturbe, Totti (Florenzi 46), Gervinho.

BAYERN (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Bernat, Boating, Benatia, Alaba; Lahm, Alonso; Robben, Muller (Rafinha 60), Gotze (Shaqiri 79); Lewandowski (Ribery 68).

Choosing A Starting XI For The Bundesliga's Strongest Squad

While some fans don't enjoy watching Bayern Munich lately due to Pep Guardiola's philosophy of total possession based football, they still have one of the strongest squads in world football. They are by far the best team in the Bundesliga and still one of the best teams in the Champions League, and are a team that will still attract and develop world class talent with an emphasis on a core of German players. Here is my first choice Bayern starting XI and a deeper analysis of the squad overall.

Goalkeeper

• 1
  Neuer

In goal they have Manuel Neuer, who is widely considered the best keeper in the world. Arguably Germany's best player at the World Cup, Neuer has a commanding presence while being a fabulous shot stopper, and is brave enough to come off his line and clear danger outside of the box. 

As a back-up, new signing Pepe Reina is first in line. While past his peak, his ball distribution skills make him perfectly suited to Guardiola's system. 

Third choice goalkeeper Tom Starke has had a tough time in goal recently, but the club still have certain faith in him while Lukas Raeder has left for Portugusese club Vitoria Setubal.

Defence

• 21
  Lahm
• 28
  Badstuber
• 17
  Benatia
• 27
  Alaba

It's a very tough choice, but I think this is the strongest back four Bayern have. While Philipp Lahm is often played in holding midfield nowadays, where his long range passing can be most effective, his defensive and attacking abilities, which make him one of the world's most technically gifted players, are best deployed at right back. The Bayern captain's international retirement can only benefit his club. Rafinha is a good right back with a great threat going forward, but is not in that elite class of defenders. 

At left back, David Alaba has impressed by making that position his own at such a young age, forcing Diego Contento to go. He can play in midfield as well, but like Lahm, his long range strikes and defensive ability are best used at left back. New signing Juan Bernat can fill in if needed depending on the system used, although he is more attack-minded. 

Central defence is a tough position to decide from, but new recruit Mehdi Benatia provided some of the most impressive statistics for a centre back last season. 21 league clean sheets with Roma, including nine in their first ten, and five goals is outstanding while his strength, commitment and threat from set pieces make him a prime candidate to start. 

While he is unlikely to play a lot due to injury problems, Holger Badstuber would be an excellent defensive partner who could have been a regular for both club and country.

Bayern's depth in defence is very strong. Jerome Boateng has improved massively in the last few years with commanding performances and good pace to deal with any counter attack. Dante has shown great solidity and consistency in his performances as well, so Guardiola has great options to choose from and will often rotate them to ensure they have enough match time. With the promising Jan Kirchoff out on loan to come back for next season, Bayern have one of the strongest defensive departments in Europe.

Midfield

• 3
  X. Alonso
• 31
  Schweinsteiger
• 10
  Robben
• 25
  Müller
• 19
  Götze

One of the most competitive midfield departments around, Bayern have players with so many different characteristics that if played at a fast pace are tough for any team to defend against. 

Xabi Alonso has come into the team and already established himself as the team's best long range passer, while his positional sense is outstanding. The fact he has fitted straight in shows his quality. It's difficult to decide who should be alongside him, but due to leadership, longevity and commitment to the cause, Bastian Schweinsteiger is the heartbeat of the team. There are more defensive minded options in Sebastian Rode and Javi Martinez, who provide great protection for the defence and bring more balance to the team, but Alonso for now has made the position his own. 

Thiago Alcantara is a very exciting midfielder whose flair, technique and creativity makes him destined to start soon for Bayern and possibly Spain as long as injuries don't hinder his progress. While the likes of Pierre Hojbjerg and Mitchell Weiser are promising young midfielders, a 17-year-old Gianluca Gaudino has particularly caught the eye and has already made five appearances this season. 

In the trio behind the striker, there are again many options to choose from. On the right has to be Arjen Robben. One of the world's best dribblers, his individual brilliance makes him a match winner and he is arguably Bayern's most dangerous attacking threat. On the other wing for years has been Franck Ribery, but despite his injury issues recently, he might find it very hard to break back into the team. 

On the left and the player who should be in a more central role due to form is Mario Gotze. The World Cup final match winner has been consistently scoring since then while his creativity, link-up play and decision making are so strong for a player of 22-years-old. 

In the middle for now, though, should be Thomas Muller. An all round midfielder who provides consistency, drive and a terrific goal scoring record, he is close to his peak and is one of Bayern's most important players. 

Just missing out is Xherdan Shaqiri, who is very similar to the way Robben and Ribery play, yet while he is getting enough time through rotation and substitute appearances, he may be moving if he feels he can become more important to another European team challenging for honours.

Forwards

• 9
  Lewandowski

While some of the other positions on the pitch are debatable, like the goalkeeper position, there is no doubt who Bayern should have as their lone centre forward. 

Robert Lewandowski is one of the world's best strikers and has a complete game. He is a poacher in the box, but with great aerial ability, hold-up play, chest control and a good degree of pace. He is hard for any defence to deal with. 

While he is still adapting to Bayern's style of pla,y which is in great contrast to Dortmund's more expansive counter-attacking game, he will prove to be an excellent acquisition in the long term. 

While Guardiola occasionally played a false nine last season, he should now stick with a main focal point in attack. Mario Mandzukic has gone to Atletico Madrid so the back-up option continues to be 36-year-old Claudio Pizzaro, the highest scoring foreign player in the Bundesliga who still delivers when called upon. This may be his final season, but the fact he is still playing for Bayern shows his class. Sinan Kurt is a young forward with potential, but we may not see much of him this season.

• • •

Overall, this should be a squad that not only wins the Bundesliga, but should be one of the favourites for the Champions League title. With great depth in almost every area, there is the freedom to rotate and still win most matches while doing it in a dominant fashion. 

Guardiola has been criticised for his approach, particularly for being one-dimensional in the Champions League, but with the addition of Lewandowski, Alonso, Benatia and the improvement of players such as Gotze, Neuer and Muller, Bayern have to be in contention for Europe's elite competition.