There were thoughts before the Bayern – Salzburg Champions League second leg game that maybe, just maybe, the Austrians can surprise the Bavarians. After all, RB Salzburg managed a surprise draw in the first match against Bayern. Nagelsmann’s men are not on top of their game. Their defense is leaky, their coach is trying to play wingers Gnabry and Coman as wing backs, they were defeated by Bochum, and drew 1-1 last weekend against Bayer Leverkusen. But, the hope lasted only for 12 minutes. After that, it was the same scenery we’ve seen so many times – The Bavarians are grinding their opponents, and it happened again tonight: Bayern – Salzburg 7-1.4 – FC Bayern München have scored 4+ first half goals in a #UCL knock-out match for the fourth time, all other clubs have managed that feat a combined four times. Quick. #FCBSAL pic.twitter.com/4WqaZCklum— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) March 8, 2022 Bayern Munich are through to the next round of the Champions League knockout stage with a firm win over Austrian champions, but once again, this was a game of one man – Robert Lewandowski. The Pole has completed a hat-trick within 23 minutes against FC RB Salzburg tonight; the earliest treble ever scored by a player in UEFA Champions League history from the start of a match, overtaking Marco Simone for Milan v Rosenborg in 1996 (24 mins). It was also Lewa’s 42nd goal in all competitions this season. Lewandowski is just a goal machine, there is no other way to describe it. Since 2015, Bayern’s striker scored 40 or more goals in seven consecutive seasons, which is just remarkable.Robert Lewandowski has scored 40+ goals in seven consecutive seasons 2015/16 – 422016/17 – 432017/18 – 412018/19 – 402019/20 – 552020/21 – 482021/22- 42 A Hat-trick in the opening 23 minutes tonight! 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/uFOtCKM0S5— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 8, 2022 His first two goals came after penalties, both conceded against him. Salzburg’s defender Wober had a torrid time, as he was guilty for bringing down Lewandowski both times, and the score was already 2-0 after 21 minutes. Just two minutes later, Salzburg’s keeper, who already lost any faith in his defenders, rushed over to clear the danger but missed the ball and who was there to put the ball into the empty net? Lewandowski. Minutes later, finally somebody else scored for Bayern and it was former Arsenal man Serge Gnabri, who used Coman’s assist to makes it 4-0 in the 31st minute.
Bayern continued where they left off and it was Thomas Muller this time with a great solo effort. Bayern’s attacking midfielder took the ball in the penalty area, just turned around and blasted the ball into the net for 5-0. The much mentioned future Borussia Dortmund striker and former Bayern flop Karim Adeyemi was ineffective, mainly due to the fact that Salzburg midfield couldn’t get anything going, so he was substituted after 60 minutes. But, his replacement Maurits Kjaergaard needed only 10 minutes to score a consolation goal. But Bayern wanted to make a point to this young squad, and veterans like Muller and Lewandowski played until the very end. Muller scored his second goal of the game before Sane scored another one for the final score.CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – ROUND OF 16Second legTuesdayBayern – Salzburg 7-1 (4-0)/Lewandowski 12 (p), 21 (p), 23, Gnabry 31, Muller 54, 83, Sane 85 – Kjaergaard 71/Liverpool – Inter 0-1 (0-0)/Lautaro 61/Wednesday 23.00: (2.65) Real Madrid (3.40) PSG (2.80)23.00: (1.15) Man.City (9.00) Sporting (22.0)