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Robert Lewandowski has been in red-hot form so far this season and notched his 22nd goal in all competitions this term with another strike in the Champions League as Bayern Munich eventually eased to a 2-0 victory over Olympiacos on Wednesday.

There was some anxiety around the Allianz Arena following the sacking of Niko Kovac, and Bayern certainly took their time in securing the victory, labouring through a particularly uninspiring first half in Bavaria.

However, Lewandowski showed his predatory instincts by flicking in Kingsley Coman’s powerful cross in the 69th minute, before substitute Ivan Perisic wrapped things up with a tap in shortly before full time.

And by scoring against the Greek giants, Lewandowski joined an exclusive group of players who have excelled in the Champions League over an extended period of time.

As revealed by Opta, his strike on Wednesday means Lewandowski became the third player to score in eight consecutive Champions League group stage appearances, after Cristiano Ronaldo (nine, 2012 to 2014) and Lionel Messi (eight, 2015 to 2017).

That’s some esteemed company for the Poland international to be keeping, and there are plenty of fans out there who believe he is now the third best player in the world, behind Juventus’ Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Messi.

But while Lewandowski has undoubtedly excelled so far this season, Bayern’s form has been a bit more patchy. Domestically, at least.

The recent 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt resulted in Kovac getting the boot and means Bayern are now off the pace in the Bundesliga title race, four points behind current leaders Borussia Monchengladbach.

Their Champions League campaign is still well on track, however, with the victory over Olympiacos sealing the German giants’ progression into the last 16 of the competition, boasting a more than healthy goal difference of plus 11.

They may behind other sides who have impressed in the competition like ​Liverpool, ​Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in terms of the current favourites, but ​Bayern will remain quietly confident they can claim their first ​Champions League title since 2013.

Tottenham secured a morale boosting victory on Wednesday night as they brushed aside Red Star Belgrade to significantly increase their chances of reaching the Champions League knockout stages.

Despite Spurs seeing plenty of the ball early on, it was the hosts who spurned a glorious opportunity to get their noses in front when Milan Pavkov found himself all alone in the area only for Paulo Gazzaniga to make himself big and superbly save with his feet.

The deadlock was finally broken in outrageous circumstances, as a goalmouth scramble in the Red Star box saw ​Harry Kane and ​Son Heung-min hit the post and crossbar respectively, before Giovani Lo Celso finally applied the crucial finishing touch.

The home side were then denied by the post and crossbar before the break, in another bizarre passage of play that saw Rajiv van La Parra nearly level matters before Davinson Sanchez hit his own crossbar.

The game was then put to bed within the space of four second half minutes as Son smashed home from Dele Alli’s through ball before tapping into an empty net after a sweeping team move. Substitute Christian Eriksen put gloss on the scoreline, but the result was assured as soon as Son grabbed the second on what was a solid night of ​Champions League work.

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RED STAR BELGRADE

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Borjan (5); Gobeljic (6), Milunovic (5), Degenek (6), Rodic (5); Jovancic (5), Petrovic (5), Garcia (6), Marin (6), van La Parra (6); Pavkov (4).

Substitutes: Jander (5), Boakye (5), Canas (4).

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TOTTENHAM​

Manchester City threw away the chance to secure qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League in their 1-1 draw with Atalanta following a spirited comeback from the Italian side, in a game which saw City miss a penalty and Kyle Walker play in goal.

City began the game with a full strength side, despite the fact the visitors have an enormous clash with Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. But with qualification only inches away, Pep Guardiola felt it only right to field his best and brightest.

With the previous encounter between the sides seeing City hit five, it was unsurprising that ​Raheem Sterling netted within only six minutes, curling home inside the box following Gabriel Jesus’ neat flick. The current Premier League champions soon seized control of the affair, preying on Atalanta mistakes but spurning the opportunities that followed.

City were awarded a penalty just before the break when Sterling was pulled back by Rafael Toloi as he raced towards goal, but the foul was deemed to have occurred outside the box by VAR, and ended with a free kick.

The resulting free kick then struck the arm of Josip Ilicic, and the Citizens finally had their spot kick. ​Gabriel Jesus stepped up to the plate, but his pathetic effort went well wide of the Italians’ goal, leaving the visitors only one up at half time.

City supporters were left fearing the worst when star keeper Ederson was forced off at half time due to a minor injury, being replaced by Claudio Bravo. Things soon went from bad to worse when Atalanta drew level through Chelsea loanee Mario Pasalic’s fine header. The game quickly turned, and the hosts began piling pressure on the City back line.

With ten minutes to go, the drama peaked when half time substitute Bravo was sent off, and with no goalkeeper on the bench, ​Walker was forced to play between the sticks in a remarkable sequence of events.

City somehow managed to hold on for a frantic draw, as Atalanta failed to test Walker in goal.

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ATALANTA

Player Ratings​

Starting XI: Gollini (5); Toloi (6), Djimsiti (5), Palomino (5); Hateboer (6), Castagne (6), Freuler (5), De Roon (6), Pasalic (7), Gomez (6); Ilicic (7).

Substitutes: Malinovsky (5) Muriel (N/A).

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MANCHESTER CITY

Key Talking Point

City went into this difficult European trip knowing victory would see them achieve early qualification to the last 16. In fact, dependent on the outcome of Dinamo Zagreb vs Shakhtar Donetsk, the English side knew they could have the top spot all wrapped up in Group C come the end of the evening.

It looked as if it was going to be a stroll after six minutes, ​Sterling showing his qualities yet again in finishing off a lovely team goal. City looked eager to finish the game off early and put their feet up ahead of Sunday, keeping hold of the ball and playing through Atalanta relatively easily, with half chances coming and going.

However, similarly to Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday, wasted opportunities proved costly. Atalanta’s leveller after the break put Guardiola’s side in hot bother, ruing those chances that went begging in the first 45 minutes.

Suddenly, the Italian crowd erupted and City knew they had a game on their hands. Their assurance in possession slowly faded and the hosts began to assert themselves, looking for their first ever ​Champions League points.

Once again, City’s defence looked vulnerable, in particular down the right-hand side, and the lack of an out-and-out defensive midfielder made life even more difficult. Atalanta, through the help of the hostile atmosphere created by their supporters, forced their opponents into making poor decisions, giving them little time to breathe.

And then a moment of madness. Bravo, having been subbed on for Ederson at half time, saw red after flying off his line to challenge Josip Ilicic. Kyle Walker – yes, the right-back Kyle Walker – had to come on in his place, immediately making a save from the resulting free kick. A ridiculous decision from Bravo, such an experienced keeper on the European stage, almost cost Guardiola’s side a point.

An astonishing and baffling end to a feisty affair, in which City will feel grateful to have escaped with a draw despite having taken an early lead.

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Player Ratings

Starting XI: Ederson (6); Cancelo (5), Fernandinho (6), Otamendi (5), Mendy (7); Gundogan (5), De Bruyne (6), B. Silva (6); Mahrez (6), Jesus (5), Sterling (8*).

Substitutes: Bravo (3), Aguero (5), Walker (6).

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STAR PLAYER – Sterling was far and away City’s most creative influence, scoring the opener and looking threatening every time he got on the ball. The Englishman linked up nicely with Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez, helping to offer City a flair up top.

Sterling will be hoping to replicate his display in City’s outing at his former stomping ground, Anfield, this weekend.

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Looking Ahead

City face another trip to a hostile atmosphere this weekend, when they take on ​Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday. The current ​Premier League champions will want to take a step towards defending their crown in their final fixture before the international break.

Meanwhile, Atalanta travel to Claudio Ranieri’s Sampdoria this ​Sunday in an attempt to get back to winning ways in ​Serie A.

Atletico Madrid blew their chance to put Champions League knockout stage qualification to bed on Wednesday evening, slumping to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen.

Leverkusen were by far the better team in the first half and finally made their dominance count in the 41st minute, courtesy of Thomas Partey’s comical own goal. As a cleared corner was sent back into the penalty area, the Ghanaian got his header completely wrong and watched it sail beyond Jan Oblak to gift Leverkusen a deserved lead.

The warning signs should have been there for a below-par Atletico defence, Felipe turning one of many Leverkusen corners onto his own bar just minutes earlier.

Diego Simeone made a bold change on 52 minutes, bringing the attacking Thomas Lemar on for left-back Renan Lodi.

Ironically, it led to Leverkusen doubling their lead just minutes later. Koke temporarily dropped into defence but got his positioning all wrong, offering Karim Bellarabi all the time and space in the world to cross for Kevin Volland’s finish.

Leverkusen almost had a third – Atletico yet again gifting corners and failing to deal with them – when an inswinger from Kerem Demirbay was flicked on and Oblak clawed it off his line. A melee between the players ensued and the referee issued four yellow cards once it died down. He was forced to reach for a red card on 84 minutes as Nadiem Amiri recklessly slid through Santiago Arias on the touchline.

Alvaro Morata pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time, controlling Partey’s through ball and striking beyond Lukáš Hrádecký, before drawing a fine save from the Leverkusen goalkeeper less than a minute later. An equaliser would have been undeserved and flattered an abject Atleti’s blushes.

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Bayer Leverkusen

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Hradecky (7); Weiser (7), Tah (7), Bender (8), Wendell (7); Demirbay (8*), Aranguiz (7); Bellarabi (7), Havertz (8), Amiri (6); Volland (7).

Substitutes: Baumgartlinger (7), Retsos (5), Dragovic (5).

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ATLETICO MADRID

Key Talking Point

Despite winning their previous two Champions League fixtures, ​Atleti had drawn five of their previous six La Liga games as their goalscoring woes continue – Los Rojiblancos have scored just 12 goals in as many domestic matches thus far.

It’s easy to see why, as Atleti showed very little attacking intent in the first half at the BayArena. They sat deep, allowed Leverkusen 64% of possession and tried to play on the counter attack. What actually played out was a failure to link their defence with attack and they invited plenty of Leverkusen pressure on the edge of their own penalty box.

The corner stats said it all, Bayer winning seven and their opponents zero. Each set piece seemed to be a little more effective, Atleti failed to get the hint and they deservedly headed in for half time a goal behind.

The decision to replace Lodi with Lemar – as opposed to either Saul or Koke who were miles from their best – unsettled the Atleti defence just long enough for Volland to score and Simeone has to take the lion’s share of the blame. After conceding just three goals in ten previous games in all competitions, Los Rojiblancos had shipped two in just 55 minutes.

This bizarre tactical switch also failed to change the course of the game and Simeone had no answer to Leverkusen’s energy, dominance or speed of play. It left many questioning his team selection, game management and even whether he’d taken Atleti as far as he could.

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Player Ratings

Starting XI: Oblak (6); Arias (7), Felipe (6), Hermoso (6), Lodi (5); Correa (6), Thomas (6), Saul (5), Koke (5); Morata (6), Costa (5)

Substitutes: Lemar (7*), Vitolo (6), Herrera (5)

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STAR PLAYER – It wasn’t difficult to be Los Rojiblancos’ best player on Wednesday evening. It was an abject performance from a team whose defenders played poorly, midfielders overrun and strikers starved of service.

Thomas Lemar might have played for less than 45 minutes, but he provided some movement off the ball and tried to get Atleti passing the ball with a little more tempo.

He adopted a free role and dropped into whichever space was available to create attacking moves, but sadly none of them came to anything. A smart free-kick and floated ball over the top for Angel Correa were the highlights for a player who will be confident of retaining his place for the weekend’s fixture with Espanyol.

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Looking Ahead

Diego Simeone’s side are about to enter a tricky run of fixtures, resuming La Liga action by welcoming Espanyol to Wanda Metropolitano before an away fixture with surprise package Granada. Atletico then face Juventus away in the Champions League ahead of a home clash with title rivals ​Barcelona.

Bayer Leverkusen face Wolfsburg and Freiburg in the Bundesliga, before an away Champions League tie with Lokomotiv Moscow.

Chelsea came back from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with Ajax at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Tuesday, with the away side having two players sent off within the same play during a thrilling second half. ​

Ajax looked to start the game on the front foot, and were rewarded for their positivity in only the second minute. Quincy Promes’ free-kick was misjudged by Tammy Abraham, who was only able to flick the ball past a helpless Kepa. However, almost immediately from the restart, the home side were awarded a penalty for a foul on Christian Pulisic. Jorginho stepped up and, in typical fashion, he cooly drew his side level.

The game continued to be played at a frantic pace, with both sides looking to be positive when in possession. Abraham thought he had put the Blues in front after 15 minutes, but he was adjudged to be offside. Instead, it was Erik ten Hag’s men who took the lead only five minutes later, as Promes nodded home from a delightful Hakim Ziyech cross.

The away side extended their lead on 35 minutes, as a simply sublime Ziyech free-kick hit the inside of the post, before Kepa inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. Frank Lampard’s men made a bright start to the second half, but conceded a fourth on the counter-attack only ten minutes after the restart, with Donny van de Beek the man to fire home this time.

It appeared as though the away side would be cruising to victory, but in a bizarre few seconds, Chelsea were given a major lifeline, as both Daley Blind and Joel Veltman were both sent off. Blind was shown a second yellow for a late challenge, but Callum Hudson-Odoi stayed on his feet and fired in a shot. The ball struck Veltman’s arm and the referee deemed it intentional, awarding a penalty. Up stepped Jorginho once more, who made it two from two.

It took Lampard’s men only three minutes to find a leveller through Reece James and although they had the ball in the net for the fifth time, it was ruled out for handball. In the end, Ajax were able to hold on for a point in one of the most dramatic and action-packed Champions League group stage games of all time.

Here’s the breakdown of this one.

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CHELSEA

Key Talking Point

Lampard will have known that a home win over Ajax would have put his Chelsea side in a very strong position heading into the remaining group stage matches. However, his side made the worst possible start, conceding after just two minutes.

Although Jorginho levelled only seconds later, Ajax were once again able to take the lead through Promes. They then added a third through Ziyech and went into the break with a healthy lead. Ajax had clearly done their homework as they exposed Chelsea’s defensive frailties time and time again.

All three first-half goals came from crosses, despite the fact that the Dutch side aren’t an overly tall team. And following van de Beek’s strike, it appeared as though Chelsea were heading for an embarrassing home defeat. However, in football, anything can happen, and the Blues were certainly aided as they were awarded a penalty and saw two opposition players sent off within the same play.

Nonetheless, even before this, the young team showed tremendous spirit to never give up and keep fighting. Lampard will be proud of his side for the reaction, but in the end, he may also feel slightly disappointed that his team were only able to claim one point.

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Player Ratings

Starting XI: Arrizabalaga (4), Azpilicueta (7), Zouma (6), Tomori (5), Alonso (4), Jorginho (9*), Kovacic (7), Willian (6), Mount (6), Pulisic (6), Abraham (6)

Substitutes: James (7), Hudson-Odoi (6), Batshuayi (6)

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STAR PLAYER – While Mateo Kovacic was excellent in his work in the first half, it was his midfield partner Jorginho that is most deserving of being called the star man on the night.

The Italian dictated the tempo of the game and was constantly looking to get his attackers on the front foot. It was his penalty that drew the Blues level early on, but he continued to dominate the midfield and was rewarded with another opportunity to net from the spot after a ludicrous series of events.

Of course, he showed wonderful composure and skill to coolly slot home once more, making it 4-3. While his side wasn’t able to eventually find a winner, Jorginho was excellent throughout.

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AJAX

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Onana (7), Mazraoui (6), Veltman (5), Blind (6), Tagliafico (6), van de Beek (7), Ziyech (9*), Martinez (6), Neres (6), Tadic (7), Promes (8)

Substitutes: Schuurs (5), Alvarez (5)

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Looking Ahead

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday as they host Crystal Palace, travelling to face Manchester City two weeks later.

Ajax, meanwhile, also return to league football as they take on Utrecht on Sunday.

Liverpool saw out a narrow 2-1 win over Genk in the Champions League on Tuesday night, bolstering their chances of qualification to the last 16 while rarely getting out of second gear.

A rotated Reds side were aiming to replicate the sort of result they had achieved in Belgium in the reverse fixture, a dominant 4-1 victory in October. It was a quick start from Jurgen Klopp’s team, who took the lead when Georginio Wijnaldum’s improvised flick found its way past Genk keeper Gaetan Coucke, with only 14 minutes on the clock.

However, the Belgians had other ideas, Mbwana Samatta’s near-post header from a corner drawing the visitors level against the run of play.

Liverpool restored the balance in the second half, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain once more proving to be the thorn in Genk’s side. The midfielder swivelled in the box, after some neat set-up play from Mohamed Salah, and struck low and hard into the bottom corner on his weaker left side, scoring his third ​Champions League goal of the season.

As the game drew to a nervy end, Genk showed promise and made life difficult for the reigning European champions. However, Liverpool managed to see the match out and pick up a vital three points.

Here is breakdown of this clash:

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Liverpool

Key Talking Point

​Liverpool rested several players, including the key figures of Sadio Mane and ​Roberto Firmino, ahead of their huge title clash with Manchester City on Sunday. It seemed to have little effect, with the hosts grabbing an early goal to settle any potential nerves and take control of the encounter within a quarter of an hour. However, Jurgen Klopp’s side were guilty of switching off defensively yet again, conceding from a poorly defended corner.

The Reds seemed to be playing the game at walking pace, and whilst they received little resistance from Genk, it proved costly with the home side unable to showcase their dynamic best. It was a solid if unspectacular first-half performance from Liverpool, but their inability to kill the game off at 1-0, made what looked a routine victory unnecessarily difficult.

Liverpool hadn’t really stepped up a gear as they came out for an important second half of European football, but they found the lead through another fine Oxlade-Chamberlain strike. The Englishman was played through the middle in the first half but continued to impress after being moved to the left-hand side after the break.

The Reds will be disappointed with their conviction in the final third, continually failing to put the game to bed, and if the visiting side had been a little more imaginative, they could have grabbed themselves a point.

Klopp will not be best pleased with how hard his side made this game, but at the end of the day, the result will be all that matters, as Liverpool pursue qualification from Group E.

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Player Ratings

Starting XI: Alisson (5); Alexander-Arnold (6), Gomez (4), Van Dijk (6), Milner (6); Fabinho (6), Wijnaldum (7), Keita (6); Oxlade-Chamberlain (8*), Origi (6), Salah (7)

Substitutes:​ Robertson (5), Mane (5), Firmino (N/A)

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Star Player

​Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put in another stellar European performance, sending a strong message to Jurgen Klopp before Sunday’s enormous clash. The Ox added another beautiful goal to the two he netted against Genk in Liverpool’s previous Champions League outing.

With his fitness getting better and better, Chamberlain offers the manager a real selection dilemma, especially with the calibre of performance the midfielder has been able to provide in recent weeks.

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Genk

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Coucke (5); Maehle (6), Cuesta (6), Dewaest (6), Lucumi (5), De Norre (6); Heynen (5), Berge (7), Hrosovsky (5); Ito (6), Samatta (6) 

Substitutes: Ndongala (5) Bongonda (N/A), Onuachu (N/A)

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Looking Ahead

Liverpool face a gargantuan clash with ​Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, a mouthwatering fixture which holds great significance in the destiny of the ​Premier League title. This is the Reds’ final game before a timely breather for Klopp’s side, with the international break nearing.