As expected, Bayern enjoyed more possession against their deep-lying hosts but chances were hard to come by initially. The closest they came to breaking the deadlock was through the lively Serge Gnabry, who had a shot that flew narrowly wide before almost teeing up Robert Lewandowski with a teasing ball across the face of goal.
The match continued in the same vein after the interval until the hosts' resistance was broken around the hour mark when Arjen Robben's shot from the edge of the box was deflected into the path of Javi Martinez, who volleyed in from close range. With AEK stunned, Bayern quickly took advantage to pull further ahead seconds later when Lewandowski tapped in at the back post following neat interplay from Gnabry and Rafinha on the left. The outcome never looked in any danger after that and Bayern controlled the remainder of the game to secure their second win of this season's competition.
Match stats:
᎐ This was the first meeting between AEK and Bayern, but the Bundesliga champions won all three previous visits to Athens.
᎐ Bayern had 64 per cent possession and had 16 attempts on goal, to AEK's five.
᎐ The Munich club’s record against Greek oppositions now reads W8, D2.
᎐ Bayern are unbeaten in their past seven away games in Europe (W6, D1).
᎐ After going 14 European games without defeat (W4, D10), Athens have now lost three consecutive matches in continental football.
᎐ Bayern have won the European Cup and/or Champions League five times (1974-76, 2001, 2013) while AEK’s best finish was the European Cup quarter-final in 1968/69.