Gnabry knocks out Chelsea

By Guillaume Mahot

After the various reversals of the situation that we witnessed in the last edition of the Champions’ League, we will not venture into asserting that Bayern is already qualified in quarterfinals, but it is a huge step the teammates of German forward Serge Gnabry did last night in London. Bayern Munich defeated Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge before 36 000 fans and already puts an interesting option for the qualification, with the opportunity to conclude at home in March with no real apprehension (if things are done properly).

Serge Gnabry, Ivorian roots, was the main architect of victory with Polish striker Robert Lewandowski. He scored two goals in three minutes (51’ 54’) while his partner delivered two assists and scored the last goal (76’). With Jerome Boateng, brother of Ghanaian midfielder Kevin-Prince, and David Alaba in the axis of the defense, Munich suffered only nine shots from the Blues (three on target) and proved once more that experience, even though there are counter-examples, is crucial at this level. On Munich’s side, every line is filled up with it: Lewandowski, Thiago Alcantara, Müller, Kimmich, Boateng, Alaba, Neuer…

Franck Lampard, once teammate of Didier Drogba in the great days of Chelsea, was powerless as a coach and his substitutions did not enable the Blues to score at least one goal. French world champion Olivier Giroud, who got back Lampard’s trust after his aborted move to Inter Milan, was replaced by English striker from Nigerian origin Tammy Abraham with no major impact for Bayern. Actually, the real bad mark for the Germans is Kingsley Coman’s injury, but the unavailability period of the French winger is supposed to be short (five days).

With six goals, Serge Gnabry, once a Gunner of Arsenal, is the third best scorer of the competition. Robert Lewandowski is the first one, far away, with eleven goals already.

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