In the Zone: Intensity the key as Bayern put down Metropolitano marker

Before last night, no German team had won an away match against Atlético de Madrid since 1996. Yet that all changed with Bayern's commanding UEFA Champions League victory at the Metropolitano. How did they do it? Assistant coach Aaron Danks had the following answer: "What it took for us tonight was a lot of intensity, a lot of hard work and a lot of team spirit."

That intensity was underlined by Bayern's tenacity without the ball as they produced 58 recoveries – a total that only Manchester United surpassed in yesterday's fixtures – and the night's highest number of tackles (30). As the following analysis, brought to you by FedEx, will highlight, both Bayern goals came after they won the ball back in high areas – the reward for their tireless counterpressing.

"It was hard for us to get out from the back," Atleti defender Marc Pubill told Movistar Plus afterwards. "It was hard for us to play the first pass and hold onto the ball to get out."

Indeed, Pubill was on the scene when teenager Lennart Karl robbed Robin Le Normand in the home penalty box before opening the scoring in the 54th minute – shown in clip one above. In the process, the 18-year-old became the fourth-youngest player to have scored five Champions League goals after Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé and Raúl González.

Konrad Laimer's emphatic finish to seal the victory followed another high turnover, with Alphonso Davies dispossessing Marcos Llorente. As Danks underlined, Laimer's Player of the Match performance reflected all that was good about this Bayern display.

"Konni gets the goal, and his work rate is non-stop; he runs so much for the team, his effort, his application is fantastic," said the assistant coach. "That epitomises what we are about at the moment."

Finally, for any omen-seekers out there, the last German winners at Atleti before last night were Borussia Dortmund 30 years ago – and they ended the campaign holding the Champions League trophy. With the final taking place back at the Metropolitano, Bayern fans will be hoping this isn't their last triumph at the home of the Rojiblancos this season.