European champions Bayern Munich delivered a footballing masterclass as they powered to a convincing 3-1 victory against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The formidable attacking trio of Franck Ribery, Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben all scored as City were completely outplayed in Champions League Group D, although they also contributed to their own downfall.
Errors from goalkeeper Joe Hart and the defence proved costly, but the hosts at least finished strongly as Alvaro Negredo replied and Bayern had former City defender Jerome Boateng sent off.
Manuel Pellegrini, pictured, was appointed by City in the summer in expectation he could improve the club’s standing in Europe, but this was clear indication of the scale of the task ahead.
Hart was at fault for Bayern’s opener and was beaten too easily for the third goal, while Gael Clichy was the chief culprit for the second.
Bayern had the class to boss the game. They carved out an early opening as David Alaba was given room to cross but Robben was unable to direct a header on target.
Bayern firmly took control of the match in the seventh minute as Ribery cut in from the left and unleashed a low swerving shot from the edge of the area which Hart failed to deal with.
Bayern oozed class thereafter, barely giving City a kick as they dominated possession and cut their way through the hosts with quick and incisive passes.
Robben picked up possession on the edge of the area and drove across goal but Muller was unable to turn in.
Bayern stepped up the pace after the break and Robben had a shot deflected wide from the edge of the area after more neat interplay.
City had also looked more determined after the resumption but their renewed spirit was killed off as Dante picked out Muller with a crossfield pass. The City defence were simply caught flat-footed and Clichy stopped in expectation of an offside flag that never came, exposing Hart.
Muller seized the opportunity and rounded Hart to double the lead.
Just three minutes later the task was put completely beyond City.
Fernandinho lost the ball in midfield and Robben charged down the right, bypassing Clichy and wrong-footing Nastasic before beating Hart at his near post.
City finally found some bite late on. Negredo pulled one back with a powerful shot off the post 11 minutes from time.
Boateng was shown a straight red card after halting Yaya Toure’s burst on the edge of the area.