The football world normally talks about Bayern Munich's attacking lineup with players of the caliber of Arjen Robben, Mario Goetze, Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski.

It is generally regarded as one of the world's best especially when French striker Franck Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thiago and Javier Martinez return in the near future.

But Bayern's superb forwards were not the main story in the club's 1-0 win against ZSKA Moscow in their second Group E match in the Champions League.

The game's only goal was scored by Thomas Mueller from the spot in the 21st minute after Mario Goetze was fouled by Mario Fernandes. It was Bayern's defense that caught the headlines as at times it was rather shaky, much to the displeasure of Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, and all this despite the German again having trouble taking their chances and putting the game to bed earlier.

Bayern's credo for the strange Moscow trip, no spectators after a UEFA ban and a bomb alarm in Bayern's team hotel the night before, was: Don't take too many risks but win the game by dominating the whole 90 minutes. But Bayern's major problems this time came at the back and in defensive midfield.

After Jerome Boateng and Rafinha were unable to play due to injury problems, Guardiola had to reorganize his defense which seemed to disrupt the team's structure. In the end Bayern got what they wanted: Three points and their 100th Champions League win.

Putting it bluntly, ZSKA Moscow, the weakest team in the group, was the right opponent at the right time after Bayern had narrowly beaten Manchester City 1-0 in their 2014/2015 campaign opener. Moscow simply did not have the quality go for a draw, let alone beat Bayern.

Bayern's system was the same one coach Pep Guardiola has used many times before. The Spaniard used a backline of three, Benatia, Dante, Alaba, which could change into a line of five when needed. Xabi Alonso played in front of them, with Philipp Lahm and Bernat on the flanks. Up front, Mario Goetze and Arjen Robben were on the wings with Thomas Mueller in the middle right behind Robert Lewandowski. But without Boateng and Rafinha there was no life in Bayern's game at the back.


In the first half, Moscow's solid defense caused problems for Bayern. The German champion was dominant but could not create enough changes to benefit from its overwhelming ball possession (72 per cent). There was far too little creativity in Bayern's game which was caused by the many missing key players. But without a solid structure in the team, beginning in the back, even Robben and Goetze had an off-day. Bayern needed a dead ball situation to win the game.


Guardiola had reason to be worried because his team lacked concentration the longer the first half went on. When Moscow was counter-attacking Bayern's defense in midfield was never fully in charge of the game. Perhaps Bayern's dominance had made them too complacent? Juan Bernat for instance couldn't stay tight on Moscow's Musa in midfield. Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer had to save his team from being pegged back after Mueller had opened the scoring.

"There was nothing more to win than three points. We of course know we could have done better by scoring more goals. But Moscow was acting strong in the defense, it was not an easy job today," Mueller said.

Bayern's defense had its holes as they lacked cohesion especially as Dante and Medhi Benatia both had massive problems controlling ball and opponents. At the end of second half, Guardiola took off Robben and Rafinha was send in in order to strengthen the defense which held out to put them on course for the last 16.