Thomas Muller brace earns Bayern Munich win at Olympiakos

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:13 am

Thomas Muller's scoring streak continued as he netted a brace to steer Bayern Munich to a 3-0 win at Olympiakos in their Champions League Group F opener.

Muller put the Bayern ahead in the 52nd minute with a lofted effort from outside the box which looked as if it had been intended as a cross.

Substitute Mario Gotze then lashed into the net with a minute of normal time remaining, before Muller converted a penalty in stoppage time to take his tally for the season to eight Bayern goals and 11 overall, including those scored for Germany.

Although the Greek hosts were eventually overwhelmed as might have been expected, they did have decent chances at different stages through the contest.

The first came in the 20th minute when the ball came to an unmarked Brown Ideye in the Bayern box, only for the former West Brom man to head tamely to Manuel Neuer.

Ideye was then much sharper at the other end as he cleared a Robert Lewandowski header off the line, moments before Xabi Alonso struck narrowly wide.

Thomas Muller, center right, continued his blistering form with a brace against Olympiakos.
Thomas Muller, center right, continued his blistering form with a brace against Olympiakos.
Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images

Bayern were absolutely dominating possession but unable to make a breakthrough -- Douglas Costa shot at Roberto, the Olympiakos goalkeeper then blocked a Lewandowski effort with his legs, Juan Bernat fired over and Alonso curled off-target.

It seemed only a matter of time before a Bayern goal arrived, though -- and when it did, it seemed courtesy of luck rather than brilliance as Muller's apparent cross from around 30 yards out on the right flank caught out Roberto and found the top corner of the net.

Olympiakos showed admirable determination to respond, with an Ideye shot being tipped over by Neuer.

And after Roberto palmed away a Muller effort, Leandro Salino blew a great opportunity to equalise in the 83rd minute, shooting into the side-netting.

Moments later, Bayern made them pay with a second goal as Gotze collected a cutback from fellow substitute Kingsley Coman and rifled past Roberto.

Muller then wrapped things up from the spot after Arthur Masuaku had fouled Coman in the box.