UEFA Champions League: Bayern Munich crush Atletico Madrid 4-0

Defending Champions Bayern Munich thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League Group A opener, Liverpool beat Ajax Amsterdam 1-0 away with a fortunate own goal whereas Manchester City registered a 3-1 victory over Porto at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

However, Real Madrid were handed a shock defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk, despite the Ukrainian side missing 10 players due to injuries and Covid-19. It was a third straight loss in the competition for Real Madrid — its worst run in 34 years. For defending champion Bayern, it was a 12th straight Champions League victory.

Kingsley Coman, Leon Goretzka and Corentin Tolisso were on target for the German champions, with the latter's strike a stunner from long-range in 4-0 win over Atletico.

Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick was full of praises for his team's efficiency following Wednesday's 4-0 crushing of Atletico Madrid in their Champions League Group A opener.

"Our game was just good tonight," Flick told reporters. "It was a tough task but we mastered it. Our efficiency was good today and I am very satisfied.



It is very important to win that first game."

Bayern won the Champions League title in August, one of five trophies they won in 2020, and had a short pre-season preparation but Flick said his players fought for every ball against Atletico.

"We were physically present. That was important, to be there, to win those one-on-one situations. We had a match plan and we applied it, playing out four beautiful goals."

Fernandinho was ruled out for up to six weeks after suffering a leg injury in Manchester City 3-1 Champions League win over Porto on Wednesday.

Bad news, his leg will be, I think four to six weeks out, yes it is a big blow for us with these amount of games and no people there. But it is what it is," said City manager Pep Guardiola.

“If I’m honest, we are struggling a little bit with injuries and to lose Fernandinho towards the end of the game is another blow,” said Gundogan.

“There are others, of course, plus some who have just come back and I myself am not fully there yet after having COVID-19," he added.