A Thomas Muller penalty has given Bayern Munich a 1-0 half-time lead over CSKA Moscow in tonight's Champions League clash at the Arena Khimki.
The visitors started strongly and came close to taking the lead with just nine minutes played when Mario Gotze fired wide following a cross from Juan Bernat.
Bayern threatened again moments later, but this time Arjen Robben's powerful effort was tipped away by CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
The Germans made their dominance count on 22 minutes as Muller fired in from the penalty spot after Gotze had been chopped down in the box.
Despite going behind, CSKA almost snatched an equaliser against the run of play just three minutes later when Alexei Eremenko saw his shot from the edge of the area flash inches over the crossbar.
Bayern continued to control play for the remainder of the half, though they were close to being pegged back on 37 minutes as Zoran Tosic missed the rebound after Ahmed Musa's initial effort had been saved by Manuel Neuer.
The away side were even luckier in the final stages as a resurgent CSKA found the crossbar through Eremenko's curling strike from 20 yards.
Jack Prescott
