UCL: Bayern goes smoking as Barcelona survive scare

Bayern scored four goals in the opening 28 minutes against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday and their overall performance in a 5-0 victory fired a warning shot to potential title challengers across the continent. Striker Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick as Bayern ended the Croats’ 45-game unbeaten run.

Bayern’s dominance, both at home and in Europe, has come despite the fact wingers Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery, as well as defenders Holger Badstuber, Jan Kirchhoff and Medhi Benatia, have been missing due to injury.

Spain international Javi Martinez has only just returned after spending several months on the sidelines due to injury.

The injuries have given some players the chance to shine, however, and new signings Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman have so far proved more than adequate replacements for Ribery and Robben on the wings, while the team’s defence does not appear to have been substantially weakened despite the absences.

Five-time European champions Bayern, who are looking for a first Champions League title in coach Pep Guardiola’s third season in charge, will soon welcome back Robben, Badstuber and Benatia, though a date for Ribery’s return to action has yet to be set.

Meanwhile, two late goals in two minutes from Sergi Roberto and Luis Suarez gave European champions Barcelona a dramatic 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Read also: Lewandowski sets another record

Trailing 1-0 at the Nou Camp with 10 minutes to go, Sergi poked in a rebound from close range, and moments later Suarez produced a fine finish for the winner, sweeping home first-time from just inside the area.

Kyriakos Papadopoulos had put the German side ahead after 22 minutes from a corner, with Barca keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen beaten in the air. For Barca, who were without injured talisman Lionel Messi, it was a frustrating game of missed chances until their pressure told.

“We believed in ourselves until the end, we are the champions. We were not able to play our best football but we had to win this match and show that we are the champions,” Suarez told reporters.

“The coach (Luis Enrique) gave us good advice in the break and now it is important for us to be leaders,” he added.

Barca are top of Group E with four points from two games. Leverkusen are second with three, ahead of BATE Borisov on goal difference. Barcelona coach Enrique decided against a tactical change in the absence of Messi, with youth product Sandro Ramirez coming into their attacking trident

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