Bayern put seven past 10-man Shakhtar


Bayern Munich are into their fourth successive Champions League quarter-final after thrashing 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk in the last-16 second leg.

Thomas Muller’s penalty opener came after Olexandr Kucher received the quickest red card in competition history for a third-minute foul.

Jerome Boateng and Franck Ribery scored either side of half-time, after a first leg which ended goalless.

Muller, Holger Badstuber, Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski added goals.

Bayern equalled their biggest Champions League win as they reached their eighth quarter-final in 11 seasons – and it was never in doubt after Kucher’s early dismissal.

The only time the Germans have been eliminated from a European competition after drawing the first leg away 0-0 was in 1981.

Back then, they fell in a European Cup semi-final to Liverpool on the away goals rule after drawing 1-1 at home in the second leg, but Bayern have won on the other six occasions.

Thomas Muller has 26 Champions League goals, the joint-highest total of any German player

From the moment Kucher rashly opted to slide in on Mario Gotze inside the penalty area within the first three minutes, it was one-way traffic for the five-time European Cup winners, who last lifted the trophy in 2013.

A red card was followed by Muller’s inevitable calm finish from the spot – and that was that as far as the contest was concerned.

By half-time, Bayern had enjoyed 79% of possession, with 15 shots on goal compared to Shakhtar’s one.

Boateng’s close-range finish, after Robert Lewandowski’s close-range shot was blocked, doubled the lead, as Lewandowski, Robben and Muller all went close to inflicting further damage.

The Bundesliga champions had not lost at home since being thrashed by Real Madrid in last season’s semi-final and they were in the mood for more goals.

Ribery drilled the ball in to the far post soon after the break and, minutes later, Muller fired in his second of the night after more good work from Ribery.

Badstuber’s powerful header, Lewandowski’s 18-yard strike and Gotze’s neat finish from an angle completed the rout.

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola:
“I always had faith with my players and I am very happy with their game tonight.

“People said it may be a tricky game but my players are there for the big moments.

“Obviously the red card changed things but my players perfectly executed our game plan. Sometimes it is not that easy against 10.”

Olexandr Kucher’s red card, after two minutes 39 seconds, was the quickest in Champions League history

Bayern have reached three of the last five Champions League finals – winning in 2013 and finishing runners-up in 2010 and 2012

Thomas Muller’s total of six penalties is greater than any other player has managed in the last three Champions League seasons

Jerome Boateng’s goal – which made it 2-0 – was followed by five more in the second half

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made one save in 180 minutes against Shakhtar


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