So, the predicted Bayern attacking onslaught didn't really happen, and the first half started much like the game at Anfield - cagey, pedestrian and littered with sloppy passing and poor decisions. Lewandowski and Ribery spluttered into life on occasion, but they didn't threaten too much.
Even when we scored, there wasn't the expected response, no sense of outrage or defiance, and the halftime score of 1-1 seemed quite fine, really. If anything, Bayern showed even less in the second half, although that was partly because we started to play much better, with Fabinho wresting control and the front three starting to function much better, and in the end we won very comfortably and convincingly. Bayern looked strangely not arsed, wandering off at the end chatting and smiling. They look a team in need of major surgery. We looked like a team.
Allison (7) Had surprisingly little to do, no chance for the own goal, and used the ball quickly and well. Safe as houses.
TAA (7) Given a few testing moments against Sloth, but stood up well, and then ramped up his attacking game with some aggressive bursts forward and good passing, before dealing with Coman aswell
Matip (7) Horrible start and some lackadaisical play, and then an own goal. But he was largely excellent after the break, and gave Bayern nothing. There was even one or two thumping interceptions.
Virgil (9) Lewandowski will not want to play against him any time soon, he was brutally snuffed out by a majestic Van Dijk who was simply unplayable. Added to Bayern's misery by scoring the goal that really took the wind out of their sails.
Robertson (6) Not a great first half, with some bad positioning and a few lapses of concentration. Much better after halftime, but ridiculous challenge for a yellow card and suspension too the gloss off the evening a bit.
Henderson (n/a)/ Fabinho (6) Awful half an hour, he was tentative and gave the ball away too often, but came out transformed in the second half and helped subdue Bayern with some controlled, aggressive DM play.
Wijnaldum (6) Looked totally fucked at times, and coughed up possession again and again, but was another who was much better as the game went on, and started to make use of the space and lethargy of Bayern's strolling midfield to start attacks.
Milner (6) Got through an immense amount of work and the Champions League assist machine was at it again later on. He was lacking in composure with the ball, but he pressed high and allowed Bayern no space or room to work in.
Salah (7) Worked like a Trojan to help out TAA, and while he looks shorn of confidence and luck in front of goal, some of his link play and general attacking football was great, not least that sumptuous ball that curved right onto Mane's head for the third.
Firmino (7) Was way, *way* too deep into midfield at times, and that meant we couldn't stretch Bayern much. Remembered he was a striker eventually, and had a couple of decent efforts, and also set up a great chance for Salah. Some smart flicks and passes kept Bayern on the back foot and was typically industrious without the ball.
Mane (9) Bayern couldn't stop him. They couldn't get *near* him. His first goal was almost an outrage, such was the skill, movement, speed of thought and nerveless finish. Then he planted his head onto a Salah Guided Missile to put Bayern out of their misery. Just boss.
