FC Bayern Munich are all but through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after a commanding 6–1 victory over Atalanta BC in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie, inflicting a seventh defeat in eight Champions League knockout matches on the Italian side.

Bayern have been a near unstoppable force domestically this season, and the Bavarian outfit were just as dominant in Bergamo.

Vincent Kompany’s side started aggressively and quickly reaped the rewards of their early pressure. A cleverly worked corner saw Serge Gnabry create space inside the area before firing the ball across the six-yard box for Josip Stanišić to tap home.

Die Roten continued to dominate and doubled their advantage midway through the first half when Michael Olise cut in from the right and arrowed a left-footed effort into the far corner.

Atalanta were crumbling under Bayern’s relentless pressure and soon found themselves three goals behind. Olise was again heavily involved, threading a precise through ball for Gnabry, who strode towards goal and finished confidently to leave the hosts on the brink.

In truth, the 3–0 half-time scoreline flattered Atalanta, who could have been further behind at the break after Nicolas Jackson was denied by a fine stop from Marco Carnesecchi.

Moments later, Gnabry curled an effort against the crossbar, further highlighting Bayern’s dominance before the interval.

The visitors wasted little time adding a fourth after the restart. Breaking at pace from an Atalanta free-kick, Bayern swept forward before Jackson applied the finishing touch to a flowing move.

Chances kept coming for the German champions, and Carnesecchi initially kept the scoreline respectable when he rushed off his line to deny Olise.

It proved only a brief reprieve for the hosts, however, as Olise soon struck again with another trademark finish to make it five.

Jamal Musiala then added Bayern’s sixth midway through the second half, turning home Jackson’s cross from close range to complete the rout.

Dayot Upamecano nearly joined the scoring too, but his header crashed back off the post — a moment that would have simply been the cherry on top of Bayern’s already emphatic performance. The only concern for the visitors was a worrying-looking injury to Alphonso Davies.

The Bavarians have almost certainly secured their place in the last eight, where they will face either Real Madrid CF or Manchester City F.C. in a blockbuster quarter-final tie.

Atalanta, meanwhile, would require a miracle rarely seen in this competition to progress — even if they managed a late consolation through Mario Pašalić. Realistically, their focus may already be shifting toward securing qualification for next season’s tournament.