Lewandowski scores as depleted Bayern beats Dynamo Kyiv

By: The Associated Press Posted: 2:06 PM CST Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 Last Modified: 4:27 PM CST Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Robert Lewandowski scored with an overhead kick to lift an depleted Bayern Munich team to a 2-1 win over Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday that clinched first place in its Champions League group.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/11/2021 (1738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Needing just a point in the snow in Ukraine to secure the top spot in Group E and coming off a surprise loss to Augsburg in the Bundesliga, Bayern would usually consider resting top players against a team like Dynamo. That wasn’t an option.

Bayern was missing seven players — including midfielder Joshua Kimmich and forward Serge Gnabry — who are all in isolation either because they’ve tested positive for the virus, or because they were unvaccinated and had contact with a positive case. Adding on a suspension for defender Dayot Upamecano and a muscle injury for midfielder Marcel Sabitzer left Bayern with a threadbare squad.

Bayern's Robert Lewandowski celebrates his goal against Dynamo Kyiv during the Champions League group E soccer match between Dynamo Kyiv and Bayern Munich, at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Coach Julian Nagelsmann had no real backups for his star players, so Lewandowski, Thomas Müller, Leroy Sané and the recently injured Kingsley Coman all started in attack. Nagelsmann named just four outfield players on the bench, all youngsters or fringe players.

Lewandowski brought the game to life after a slow start with his 14th-minute goal. The Polish striker reacted quickly when Benjamin Pavard’s pass deflected off defender Illya Zabarnyi’s leg and leaped to hit an overhead kick which was hit beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.

Only a stroke of luck kept Bayern in the lead soon after when Leon Goretzka’s attempted backpass across the snowy field bobbled up and over Manuel Neuer’s attempted kick and onto the post.

Coman scored his first Champions League goal of the season to double Bayern’s lead just before the break, shooting high into the net from a tight angle. Neuer made several saves to keep Dynamo at bay in the second half, but a gap in the Bayern defense allowed Viktor Tsygankov to set up Denys Garmash for last-place Dynamo’s first goal of the group stage. Bayern held on for the last 20 minutes to keep the three points.

Midfielder Goretzka finished the game at center-back when Lucas Hernandez was taken off with a possible thigh injury, and there were concerns when defender Tanguy Nianzou had a heavy fall onto his shoulder. Bayern extended its unbeaten record to 21 away Champions League games since 2017.

Barcelona drew 0-0 with Benfica in the other game in Group E.