Game over for La Dea: Bayern demolish Atalanta in Bergamo

Atalanta pulled off a slight miracle in the Champions League playoffs, eliminating Borussia Dortmund after losing the first leg in Germany 2-0, thanks to a 4-1 home win. In the Round of 16, the draw paired them up with Bayern Munich, and La Dea quickly felt the difference between the Bundesliga table-toppers and second-placed crew.

The Bavarians had no mercy on the Serie A side, demolishing the Bergamo crew 6-1 on the road and practically securing their spot in the quarter-finals. Now, they can peacefully turn to their upcoming league challenges and analyze their next UCL rival, either Manchester City or Real Madrid.

Even without the fully fit Harry Kane, who was benched, Bayern managed to score three goals before the break, or rather by the 25th minute. Afterwards, they slightly hit the brakes, though their lead could have been more convincing.

Twelve minutes into the game, the visitors' scoring spree began with Josip Stanisic's opener, following Atalanta's abysmal corner-kick defending.

Michael Olise had three strikes in the opening seven minutes, all from inside the box, but the home team's custodian, Marco Carnesecchi, stopped all of them. However, the first time the Frenchman attempted from outside the area (ten minutes after the deadlock-breaker), he doubled the Bavarians' lead.

In the 25th minute, it was already 3-0. This time, Atalanta's defence cracked and completely collapsed, leaving Serge Gnabry all alone against Carnesecchi, and the German accepted the gift.

By the break, the Serie A side's keeper had one point-blank save of Nicolas Jackson's effort, while Gnabry hit the bar.

Seven minutes into the second half, the scoring spree continued with another goal in Atalanta's net. This time, Jackson crowned a quick three-move action and Luis Diaz's heel pass with the fourth goal for Bayern.

And while the visitors created chances one after another - and seized plenty of them - the home team's attacks mainly ended even before the rivals' box, usually with a foul, offside, or easily lost ball.

Nevertheless, despite the opponents' struggles, the Bavarians did not intend to stop. After all, that's the German way and understanding football - no mercy and playing with full capacity until the referee's final whistle. Hence, naturally, the fifth goal came shortly after the fourth - 12 minutes later - when Olise made his signature move once again, moving the ball inside and perfectly finding the far corner from around 18 meters.

Jamal Musiala is slowly but surely returning to the pitch and finding his form after a severe calf fracture, so Vincent Kompany subbed him on at the beginning of the second half. It took only 22 minutes for the 23-year-old to score his second UCL goal since his comeback, continuing Atalanta's wreckage.

A quarter of an hour before the end, Bayern had two massive chances to make it 7-0. First, La Dea's centre-back Berat Djimsiti denied Joshua Kimmich's effort with a fantastic goal-line clearance, and less than a minute later, Dayot Upamecano hit the post with a precise header.

In the final ten minutes, Atalanta went forward with a bit more intent, which was enough for the 93rd-minute consolation goal, scored by Mario Pasalic from the home team's second shot on target.

Either way, the return leg in eight days in Munich will be just a formality.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16

Tuesday

Galatasaray - Liverpool 1-0 (1-0)

/Lemina 7/

Atalanta - Bayern Munich 1-6 (0-3)

/Pasalic 90+3 - Stanisic 12, Olise 22, 64, Gnabry 25, Jackson 52, Musiala 67/

Atletico Madrid - Tottenham 5-2 (4-1)

/Llorente 6, Griezmann 14, Alvarez 15, 55, Le Normand 22 - Porro 26, Solanke 76/

Newcastle - Barcelona 1-1 (0-0)

/Barnes 86 - Yamal 90+6 pen/

Wednesday

20.45: (5.65) Leverkusen (4.30) Arsenal (1.62)

23.00: (2.60) Bodo (3.80) Sporting (2.65)

23.00: (2.00) PSG (3.60) Chelsea (4.00)

23.00: (3.50) Real Madrid (3.90) Man.City (2.05)

***odds are subject to change***