Bayern Munich produced a stunning display to beat Roma 7-1 in their Champions League match at the Stadio Olimpico.
Arjen Robben fired the Germans ahead early on, before quickfire goals from Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski put them in control.
Robben scored his second and Thomas Muller slotted in a penalty to give the visitors a five-goal lead at the break.
Gervinho pulled a goal back for Roma in the second half, but late strikes from Franck Ribery and Xherdan Shaqiri put the seal on a memorable night for Bayern.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Good evening everyone! The Champions League is back after the international break and the standout tie of the day comes from Italy, where Roma and Bayern Munich go head to head to try and keep up their unbeaten runs in this season's tournament.
Roma have impressed many on their return to Europe's biggest stage and kicked off their Group E campaign with a stunning 5-1 victory over CSKA Moscow. They faced a tougher match last time out against Manchester City, but produced a fine display in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad.
If the Giallorossi have been in good form, then tonight's visitors Bayern have been nothing short of brilliant in the opening weeks of the season. They are already four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and have won both of their opening group matches.
Stadio Olimpico. The countdown is on. Pulse is rising. We can hardly wait! Are you ready for #ASRFCB? pic.twitter.com/NA4NieGwUR
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) October 21, 2014
In tonight's early Group E match between CSKA Moscow and Manchester City the full time whistle has blown and the game has ended in a 2-2 draw. City had led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero and James Milner, but the Russians battled back and had Bebras Natcho's late penalty to thank as they earned their first point in the group.
That result in Moscow will have delighted fans of both Roma and Bayern. It means that Bayern lead the group on six points, closely followed by Roma on four. City are still looking for their first win and have two points on the board, while CSKA prop up the table with one point.
We're around 45 minutes away from kick off, so let's take a look at how the teams will be lining up in Rome, starting with the hosts.
The @OfficialASRoma team has arrived ahead of #ASRFCB #UCL pic.twitter.com/7uPl5U7b1i
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) October 21, 2014
ROMA XI: De Sanctis, Torosidis, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Cole, Pjanic, De Rossi, Nainggolan, Iturbe, Totti, Gervinho
BAYERN MUNICH XI: Neuer, Benatia, Alaba, Boateng, Bernat, Lahm, Alonso, Muller, Gotze, Robben, Lewandowski
Roma are boosted by the returns of Gervinho and Juan Iturbe to the starting lineup. They join Francesco Totti in the attack, with Mattia Destro and Adem Ljajic dropping to the bench. The other changes to the team see Vasilis Torosidis and Kostas Manolas come into the defence.
As for the visitors, Robert Lewandowski returns after being an unused substitute in this weekend's hammering of Werder Bremen. He is joined by Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze in the attack. Former Roma player Mehdi Benatia is also back in the team along with Spaniard Juan Bernat.
ROMA SUBS: Skorupski, Paredes, Holebas, Astori, Florenzi, Ljajic, Destro
BAYERN MUNICH SUBS: Zingerle, Dante, Ribery, Shaqiri, Rafinha, Pizarro, Hojbjerg
This really is a meeting of two teams in fantastic form. Before last season not many were expecting Roma to mount a title challenge, and although they eventually finished a long way short of champions Juventus, they have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Things are going well for Rudi Garcia's side this season too. They are second in Serie A and sit just a point below Juve in the table, having won six of their opening seven league matches. Many people are thinking that this might be the season they claim the title for the first time in 14 years.
At the weekend Roma cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Chievo. There is such strength in depth in the squad that goalscorers that day Destro and Ljajic only make the bench. After this match they face a tricky tie away to Sampdoria at the weekend, before finishing the month by hosting Cesena next Wednesday.
It is fair to say that Bayern have picked up exactly where they left off last season Pep Guardiola's side already look well on course to retain their league title after winning six of their opening matches and drawing the other two. They have already bagged 21 goals in those games, conceding just twice.
The #FCBayern players are now in the #StadioOlimpico. Kick-off is approaching. #packmas #ASRFCB #FCBayernLive pic.twitter.com/e2vqJAe4ba
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) October 21, 2014
Bayern have actually won their last four league games and hit six in a rout of Werder Bremen at the weekend. Things have gone well for them too in the Champions League and although they haven't quite hit the goal trail, two 1-0 wins over Man City and CSKA Moscow see them in control of the group.
Perhaps rather surprisingly this is only the third time that these teams will have met in the Champions League. They last played back in 2010 in the group stages, where each team won their home match. It finished 3-2 in Roma's favour at the Stadio Olimpico last time, so let's hope for a similar result this evening.
One man who will possibly have some mixed emotions about this evening's match is Mehdi Benatia. The 27-year-old was probably Roma's player of the season, before joining Bayern in the summer. There was plenty of controversy surrounding the move and it will be interesting to hear the crowd's reaction to him.
PREDICTION: This should be some match and I'm expecting plenty of excitement at the Olimpico. Roma and Bayern are in such good form and the attacking talent on show will be great to see. I can't really call a winner this evening, so I'm going to go for a 2-2 draw, will could prove to be a useful point for both teams.
We're just five minutes away now from the big kick off and the Olimpico is packed to the rafters. If you watched the earlier match between CSKA and City then you'll have seen a rather different atmosphere in an empty stadium.
The teams are both out on the pitch, with the unmistakable Champions League anthem ringing out. The start of this match is now just moments away!
KICKOFF! We are underway at the Stadio Olimpico!
We haven't seen any early chances on goal, but the game has started at a frantic pace. Roma are looking for another quick start and they are looking to pass the ball around quickly and press the Bayern defenders high up the pitch.
Roma seem very confident to play the ball out from their own box and they almost break through when a good passing move finds Iturbe. He then tries to pick out the run of Gervinho over the top, but the ball is just slightly over hit and ends up running through to Neuer.
GOAL! Roma 0-1 Bayern Munich (Arjen Robben)
The visitors have the lead and it's Robben with a trademark strike! The Dutchman is picked out on the right wing and comes into the box, before shifting the ball onto his left foot and bending an effort into the far corner past De Sanctis. It's a wonderful finish from Robben and a super start for Bayern.
SAVE! Roma almost come up with an immediate response as Gervinho is slipped into the box, but his first time effort is brilliantly turned around the post by Neuer. This game has really sparked into life now.
Bayern have really started to stamp their authority on the match and they are causing Roma plenty of problems at the back. Robben is in fantastic form and is popping up all over the pitch.
CHANCE! It's all Bayern at the moment and they work another opening when Lewandowski is found on the edge of the box. The Pole manages to get a low shot away, but De Sanctis does well to get down and palm the ball away.
Roma have been really shaken by conceding that early goal and Nainggolan gives the ball away cheaply deep inside his own half. Lewandowski is again found in space just outside the box, but this time his curling effort is far too high and causes the keeper no problems.
The home fans are up in arms as Gervinho appears to be brought down by Alonso as he charged down the left wing. However, the referee rules in the Bayern man's favour and gives the decision to the visitors.
Bayern have been dominant inside the opening 20 minutes of the match and they have found themselves in some great positions to double their lead. At the moment they are making it hard for Roma to put together any sustained spell in possession and they look dangerous every time they come forward.
GOAL! Roma 0-2 Bayern Munich (Mario Gotze)
Bayern have been simply fantastic this evening and they have deservedly scored their second of the match. It's a wonderful goal, as Gotze exchanges passes with Muller on the edge of the box, before driving a low strike into the bottom corner that leaves the keeper helpless.
GOAL! Roma 0-3 Bayern Munich (Robert Lewandowski)
Roma are being torn to shreds here as the visitors further extend their lead. This time it's Lewandowski who scores as he finds himself free in the box to head in Bernat's cross. Surely there is no way back for Roma now.
Things could get really embarrassing here for Roma and Bayern are on the hunt for more goals. They almost manage a fourth as Gotze is found with plenty of space, but his side-footed effort is comfortably held by De Sanctis.
YELLOW CARD! It really hasn't been Roma's night and Iturbe picks up a booking for a dive.
GOAL! Roma 0-4 Bayern Munich (Arjen Robben)
This really is unbelievable to watch as Bayern make it 4-0 inside of the first 30 minutes. The German champions slice open the Roma defence yet again with Lewandowski threading a brilliant through ball to Robben, with the Dutchman making no mistake by firing the ball past De Sanctis for his second of the match.
The Stadio Olimpico has been stunned into silence by what they have seen this evening. I don't think anyone could have predicted this, but Bayern have been on another level. I think any team in the world would have struggled against them in this form.
PENALTY TO BAYERN! It just keeps getting worse for Roma as Bayern are given a penalty. It's Manolas who is the man penalized for a handball inside the box, as he tried to cut out Alaba's cross.
GOAL! Roma 0-5 Bayern Munich (Thomas Muller)
Muller steps up to take the penalty and makes no mistake with a composed finish into the bottom corner, that leaves the keeper rooted to the spot. How many more goals will Bayern score this evening?
Roma have a rare chance in attack when they break forward with pace and get plenty of men forward. Nainggolan ends up getting to the edge of the box and has options either side of him, but his pass is too long and ends up going straight into the gloves of the keeper.
CHANCE! It really should be six for Bayern as Lewandowski wins a free header inside the box, but he can only direct the ball over the ball.
CHANCE! Roma miss the opportunity to pull a goal back as De Rossi's blocked effort from a corner falls kindly to Manolas inside the box, but the defender ends up firing his attempt high over the bar.
There is going to be one minute of stoppage time at the end of the half.
HALF-TIME: Roma 0-5 Bayern Munich
What an incredible first half of football in Rome. It's 5-0 to Bayern and you just wonder what the final score will be. That is one of the best performances you are ever likely to see from a team playing at the peak of their powers.
© Getty Images
The stats at half time sum up just how dominant Bayern have been. They have had 59% of the possession and have had 12 shots on goal compared to Roma's four. Most importantly they have found the net five times from their eight strikes on target.
I wonder what Rudi Garcia is saying to his players right now. They have been outclassed by a Bayern side that have sliced them apart time and time again. Their defending has been poor to say the least and even the experienced Cole at left back was badly caught out on more than one occasion by the brilliant Robben.
Rather surprisingly Bayern don't have the biggest lead at half time this evening. That honour goes to Shakhtar Donetsk who are 6-0 up against BATE Borisov. Other notable results see Chelsea beating Maribor 3-0 and Barcelona currently leading 2-0 against Ajax.
The two teams are back out and Roma have made a couple of changes at the break. Holebas and Florenzi are both coming on to replace Totti and Cole.
Roma take the kick off and get the second half started.
The second half has begun in very much the same pattern as the first with Bayern in control. They almost come close to grabbing another goal as Gotze whips a dangerous ball across the box that Torosidis has to put behind his own goal.
Roma manage to work their first chance on goal, but after finding some space around 25 yards out Nainggolan ends up firing his strike over the bar.
The home side are starting to see more of the ball now as Bayern take their foot slightly off the gas. They will still have to be wary of pushing too many men forward, as they won't want to concede any more goals.
OFF THE POST! Gervinho is close to pulling a goal back for Roma as he is played through on goal, before crashing an effort against the post. Moments later Florenzi latches onto a ball over the top, before firing in a strike that is blocked by the huge frame of Neuer.
YELLOW CARD! One thing that Roma will not want to do is lose their discipline, but Torosidis picks up a card for a poor challenge on Muller. Nainggolan is then booked by the referee for arguing with the decision.
Gervinho has been one of the players that has never stopped trying for Roma this evening and following a great run from just inside his own half he is brought down on the edge of the box by Benatia.
SUBSTITUTION: Bayern make their first change of the evening, with Rafinha coming on for Muller.
SAVE! It just doesn't seem that Roma are going to find the net this evening, as Neuer somehow keeps out Gervinho's effort from point-blank range.
YELLOW CARD! Bernat is the first Bayern player to pick up a booking this evening for dragging back Gervinho, as the Ivorian threatened to run clear.
CHANCE! Roma have been much in this second half they deserve at least a goal for the efforts they have put in. They are still searching though, as Iturbe curls his latest effort from the edge of the box just over the bar.
GOAL! Roma 1-5 Bayern Munich (Gervinho)
Roma have finally found the net and it's Gervinho who has deservedly got his goal. They break forward with pace and Iturbe finds the run of Nainggolan on the left. The Belgian then looks up and whips in a great cross that is headed in from close range by Gervinho.
SUBSTITUTION: Bayern make another change, with Ribery coming on for Lewandowski.
A terrible decision from the linesman sees a chance for Roma to test Neuer go to waste. It's Gervinho who is flagged offside as he breaks clean through on goal, when he was actually inside his own half.
Garcia will be much happier at what he has seen from his players since the break, after such a poor first half. It was important that they showed fighting spirit and a hunger to get back into the match, despite knowing that getting anything from it now is beyond them.
Over the past few minutes Bayern have retaken control of the match after taking their foot off the gas since half time. You still feel that they can take it up a gear if they wanted to and with Robben and Ribery on the pitch a goal is always on the horizon.
GOAL! Roma 1-6 Bayern Munich (Franck Ribery)
What was I just saying about Robben and Ribery! It's another fine goal from Bayern, as Robben threads a fantastic ball through to Ribery. The Frenchman then has just De Sanctis to beat and he lifts a wonderful effort over the keeper and into the net. Simply stunning from Guardiola's side.
SUBSTITUTION: Bayern make their final change with Shaqiri coming on for Gotze.
GOAL! Roma 1-7 Bayern Munich (Xherdan Shaqiri)
He's been on the pitch for less than a minute, but Shaqiri has scored Bayern's seventh of the evening. Thw Swiss international takes advantage when De Sanctis spills Rafinha's low drive, by hammering the rebound into the roof of the net.
CHANCE! Shaqiri is close to scoring his second goal in a matter of minutes as latches onto a ball into the box, before hammering a strike over the bar from a tight angle. He had Robben free in the middle and the Dutchman won't be pleased if that ruins his chance of a hat-trick.
Robben started the rout this evening and he looks to add another goal as he charges into the box, before hammering an effort into the side-netting. He has been sensational this evening and you wouldn't put it past him scoring again.
CHANCE! Ribery really should have made it 8-1 for Bayern, as he is picked out unmarked at the back post, but directs the ball narrowly wide of the target.
There are going to be two minutes of stoppage time.
FULL-TIME: Roma 1-7 Bayern Munich
It's all over at the Stadio Olimpico and Bayern have recorded a stunning 7-1 win over Roma. They were incredible this evening and played football of the very highest quality. They have set out a marker to everyone watching that they are in this tournament to win it.
FULL-TIME: #FCBayern beat #Roma 7-1. #FCBayernLive #ARSFCB #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/G3mIIoNQPG
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) October 21, 2014
As for Roma, manager Rudi Garcia will somehow have to rebuild the confidence of his players after such a demoralizing result. They were picked apart by a Bayern side in top form and in the end they were well beaten. They surely won't come up against a better team this season, which is just as well given what just happened.
That's all we've got time for after an incredible night of Champions League football in Rome. Don't forget that we will be bringing you analysis and reaction from each game that took place today and there will be more live coverage tomorrow evening. Until then, goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
