midfielder Joshua Kimmich, Lokomotiv Moscow’s Russian forward Fedor
Smolov and Bayern Munich’s French midfielder Corentin Tolisso vie
for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match
between Lokomotiv Moscow and Bayern Munich in Moscow on October 27,
2020. MAXIM SHIPENKOV / POOL / AFP
Match-winner Joshua Kimmich admitted
holders Bayern Munich were made to work for their 2-1 win
at Lokomotiv Moscow on Tuesday which secured a record 13th straight
Champions League victory for the German giants.
After Leon Goretzka gave Bayern an early lead in
Russia, Lokomotiv deservedly equalised when midfielder Anton
Miranchuk finished off a counter-attack on 70 minutes.
However, Germany midfielder Kimmich made
sure Bayern stayed top of their group when he turned just
outside the area and fired a superb strike into the bottom corner
on 79 minutes.
“We had to work hard for the victory,” Kimmich told broadcaster
DAZN.
“They didn’t do badly, but we still should have decided the game
earlier.
“They had some dangerous counters, but in the end we are happy
to win despite not being at our best.”
Lokomotiv squandered a golden chance early on when forward
Fyodor Smolov headed straight at Bayern goalkeeper Manuel
Neuer from point-blank range.
Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski shot wide before the
European champions took the lead with a goal cre ated by France
internationals Corentin Tolisso and Benjamin Pavard.
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Midfielder Tolisso passed across the penalty area to Pavard,
whose cushioned volley picked out Goretzka to expertly head inside
the near post on 13 minutes.
Bayern’s French pair linked up to great effect again to set up a
chance for Kingsley Coman, who hit the post on 25 minutes.
However, Lokomotiv started to find space to exploit down the
flanks, with Smolov and left-back Maciej Rybus forcing Neuer into
saves at the end of the first half.
Bayern head coach Hansi Flick made a double substitution at
the start of the second half with Germany winger Serge Gnabry —
making his first appearance since recovering from coronavirus — and
Javi Martinez introduced.
Bayern came within centimetres of a second goal just before
the hour mark.
Gnabry fired in a quick cross, but Kimmich’s shot clipped the
boot of Lokomotiv centre-back Slobodan Rajkovic and goalkeeper
Guilherme gratefully gathered the loose ball.
At the other end, only a good challenge from David Alaba
prevented Lokomotiv striker Ze Luis finishing a counter-attack.
When Lewandowski went down in the area on 65 minutes, referee
Istvan Kovacs pointed to the spot, but the decision was overturned
when the VAR spotted an offside in build-up.
Lokomotiv grabbed the deserved equaliser when Ze Luis burst free
down the right and squared to Miranchuk who turned home.
The Cape Verde international wasted a huge opportunity to put
Lokomotiv in front when he opted to go for goal himself rather than
square for an unmarked Rifat Zhemaletdinov.
Kimmich made the hosts pay the price moments later when he
received the ball outside the penalty area, taking one touch to
control and drive home.
Bayern captain Manuel Neuer said the team’s belief got them
through.
“We always believe in ourselves,” Neuer told DAZN.
“I think we’ve shown the spirit in our team over the last few
weeks and months, but we can’t rely on that, we always have to
start from scratch.
“You could see it wasn’t easy tonight.”
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