Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben was unimpressed by a new experience in his career on Tuesday, when his side overcame CSKA Moscow in their UEFA Champions League match in an eerily empty Khimki Arena.
Bayern carved out a 1-0 win thanks to Thomas Mueller’s first-half penalty in the strangely muted atmosphere at the Moscow venue. The Group E match was played in front of an empty house after a ban from European soccer’s governing body UEFA was imposed for racist behavior by CSKA’s fans.
The lack of atmosphere only made life more comfortable for the five-time champions as they dominated on the way to their second straight win in of the competition.
The German champions could have scored several against the injury-hit hosts, but CSKA put up a spirited performance and could look back with dismay on their own missed opportunities.
CSKA’s Finland midfielder Roman Eremenko even hit the bar in the first half, but the decisive moment proved to be Mueller’s 21st minute spot-kick.
After Germany teammate Mario Goetze was fouled in the area by Mario Fernandes, Mueller notched his 22nd goal in the competition.
Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev had conceded in his past 22 Champions League matches and his unwanted record continued as he picked the ball gloomily out of the net.
“It’s the first time I have played without fans in the stadium,” Robben said after the match. “Obviously now I am used to playing in front of a packed stadium, with a lot of fans and that is how football should be.”
Robben was kept quiet for long periods, finding it difficult to find space when faced by two walls of red shirts, saying after that “only one team looked to attack.”
“One goal was decisive today and we are very happy with the win and the three points,” said Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, who was surprised by Moscow’s defensive lineup.
Despite their defeat, CSKA head coach Leonid Slutski has not given up hope of progressing.
“The only thing we were unable to do was score, despite the fact we had chances. For example, they had eight shots on target, while we had five. That is not a big difference. We created some excellent chances. They did not create one,” he said.
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