Bayern Munich eased into the last sixteen of the Champions League with a resounding 5-1 win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Munich on Tuesday.
Ajax’s 1-0 defeat to Juventus in Turin means Bayern finish runners-up in Group C behind the Italians and the Bundesliga leaders can now plan for the knockout phase.
Bayern manager Felix Magath called for the killer instinct in front of goal and his team delivered — scoring with their first shot on target after 12 minutes.
Peruvian Claudio Pizarro cut inside and unleashed a 20 yard shot that arrowed into the top right hand corner.
Still basking in their goal, Bayern almost conceded a shock equaliser when Salem Abo Siam’s attempted cross ricocheted off the top of Oliver Kahn’s crossbar.
Bosnian international Hasan Salihamidzic relieved the tension at the Olympic Stadium, netting on 37 minutes — although he knew very little about it.
Tel Aviv goalkeeper Liran Strauber parried a goal-bound header onto the chest of Salihamidzic who was virtually on the goal-line.
Magath brought off Bastian Schweinsteiger and the injured Owen Hargreaves, but it did not spare Tel-Aviv from the constant Munich pressure.
With just a minute to go before the interval, German international Torsten Frings produced a rasping right-footed volley that left Strauber with no chance.
After the break Bayern used the last of their three substitutions with playmaker Sebastian Deisler as he continues his recovery from depression.
Despite the fresh legs, Bayern eased off and Tel-Aviv made them pay with their first away-goal in this season’s Champions League.
Kahn inexplicably felled Barukh Dego in the penalty area after 55 minutes with the Maccabi striker going gown a cul-de-sac.
Dego got up to convert the resulting penalty sending Kahn the wrong way.
However, a comeback was never on the cards and Dutch marksman Roy Makaay netted his fifth Champions League goal with 71 minutes gone.
Makaay had an ankle injury before the game but it did not show, as he lashed in his second of the match nine minutes later to complete the romp.
Bayern are now in the hat for the last sixteen draw and can play their final group match against Ajax on December 8 with nothing at stake.
Since their 2001 triumph Munich have failed to get past the quarterfinals of Europe’s premier competition, despite investing millions in the likes of Michael Ballack and Makaay, but on the evidence of this display they will take some beating. – Sapa-AFP