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Bayern Munich finished their Champions League group-stage campaign with a 100 per cent record as Benjamin Pavard and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored in a 2-0 win over Inter on Tuesday.
With Bayern and Inter already guaranteed to finish first and second in Group C respectively, the hosts were the more coherent of two much-changed sides at the Allianz Arena.
Following a decent start from Inter, Pavard met Joshua Kimmich’s delivery to put the hosts ahead, before Choupo-Moting added some gloss with a brilliant long-range strike after the break.
As a result, Julian Nagelsmann’s men have won all six Champions League group games in consecutive seasons, finishing eight points clear of Inter to demonstrate their credentials as one of the top contenders for the European title.
Inter were controversially denied a ninth-minute penalty when Sadio Mane appeared to block Nicolo Barella’s shot with both arms, then should have taken the lead when Lautaro Martinez stretched to fire over from just three yards out.
Bayern punished Inter for that miss after 32 minutes, as Pavard escaped Martinez’s attentions to nod Kimmich’s corner into the bottom-right corner.
Andre Onana turned Kingsley Coman’s effort wide as half-time approached, before the offside flag denied the Nerazzurri when Francesco Acerbi headed a left-wing free-kick home after the restart.
Bayern exerted greater control in the second half, but saw Mane hook over from a decent position as they searched for a second goal.
The hosts had their two-goal fashion in spectacular fashion with 18 minutes remaining, as Choupo-Moting was given space to turn before crashing a right-footed strike into the top-left corner, dashing any hopes of an Inter comeback.
What does it mean? Bayern make history
Bayern’s status among the favourites to win the Champions League was not exactly in doubt ahead of this campaign, but winning all six matches in a group containing Barcelona and Inter will only have strengthened other teams’ hopes of avoiding them in the round of 16.
On Tuesday, Nagelsmann’s men became the first side in Champions League history to win all six group games in back-to-back seasons, as well as the first club to do so on three occasions (also 2019-20, when they won the competition).
Lethal hosts set goalscoring record
Bayern scored 18 goals across their six Group C outings, and despite Robert Lewandowski’s decision to move to Barcelona in July, they retain the attacking quality to trouble any side in Europe.
Pavard’s opener ensured Bayern have scored in their last 22 home matches in the Champions League, setting a new club record in the competition.
Choupo-Moting comes up with the goods
When Lewandowski swapped Bavaria for Camp Nou, few would have expected Choupo-Moting to be among the players to fill the goalscoring breach for Bayern.
However, the 33-year-old has proved himself to be a capable deputy this season, and has now scored on each of his last five Champions League starts.
What’s next?
Bayern go to Hertha Berlin for their next Bundesliga game on Saturday, while Inter visit their Derby d’Italia rivals Juventus in Serie A on Sunday.
