Guardiola_bayern_Reuters
Guardiola made his Champions League debut as manager with Bayern Munich with a convincing victory. Reuters

Bayern Munich began their Champions League title defense on a high note with an emphatic victory over CSKA Moscow on Tuesday at Allianz Arena on Tuesday, 3-0.

David Alaba got the scoring started in the third minute with a free-kick goal from well beyond the penalty box that escaped the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.

Pep Guardiola’s squad caught a break with the second goal, as the Mario Mandzukic header in the 41st minute off a free-kick cross should have been disallowed as more than one Bayern player was clearly offside.

In the final goal, Dutch star Arjen Robben appeared to just beat the offside trap with a nicely chested ball that helped him set up a fine left-foot strike.

Bayern dominated the match over the visiting Russian club, as they totaled 20 shots with nine on target, while CSKA managed just eight shots with two on goal. Bayern also held possession for 69 percent of the match.

It has been a strong start for Guardiola in his first season in charge. Bayern have four wins and one draw in Bundesliga play, and the thumping of CSKA is an important start for the club’s Champions League aspirations.

The victory follows inflammatory comments from Matthias Sammer, director of sport for Bayern Munich. He accused the club of playing "lethargic football," "going through the motions," and "playing without emotion.”

In their next Champions League match, Bayern travel to England to face Manchester City on Oct. 2. City defeated Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday, 3-0. CSKA, who are in first place in the Russian league, host Victoria Plzen on the same date.

Bayern Munich Vs CSKA Moscow 3-0 All Goals...by niv131