Hat-trick Makaay Munich hero

Roy Makaay hit a glorious hat-trick in a 4-0 win for Bayern Munich over Ajax.

The German giants overpowered their Dutch counterparts with a clinical attacking display that Ronald Koeman's outfit simply could not deal with.

Bayern have endured a miserable start to their domestic campaign but there was nothing in Munich to suggest that the German's will not be challengers this term.

The opening exchanges were lively as Bayern moved the ball with an economical assurance and Ajax's forwards inter-changed with a customary fluidity of movement.

However, whilst the Dutch were pretty on the eye the Germans were incisive and fashioned their first opportunity of the game early as Claudio Pizarro exchanged passes with partner Roy Mackaay but hurriedly blazed over.

Pizarro's next effort came in the ninth minute and on this occasion the post rescued Ajax keeper Bogdan Lobont, as he hooked an effort goalwards from Ze Roberto's scooped pass.

Ajax's response was immediate and after Wesley Sonck broke down the right flank the mercurial Rafael van der Vaart narrowly failed to connect for the opener.

Bayern's Hasan Salihamidzic lacked composure when fed by the deep lying Makaay and then, dismayed by his team-mates wayward finishing, the prolific Dutchman took centre stage.

The industrious Owen Hargreaves - busy and tidy throughout - took possession in his own half and launched a glorious long pass that exposed space behind Ajax's backline for Makaay.

The striker's first touch was sumptuous and his second explosive, as he rifled the ball on the half volley past the despairing dive of Lobont.

Hargreaves then forced a good save from Lobont with a dipping 25-yard freekick, before the Ajax custodian showed agility in palming a well placed header from Pizarro wide for a corner.

Ajax continued to play with the calmness to which they are famed but in Makaay, Munich possessed a player at the height of his considerable powers.

With three minutes left of the first period, Ze Roberto delivered the perfect set-piece and Makaay met the Brazilian's cross with the most majestic of back headers to deliver his and Bayern's second of the evening.

Into the second period and Munich began as they finished, tearing in to the Ajax defence with a drive and execution that will not go unnoticed in dressing rooms across Europe.

Five minutes into the interval and after the lively Pizarro had broke through Ajax's defence, Lobont had no alternative other than to pull down the advanced forward.

Referee Alain Sars pointed to the spot and Makaay finished with the cocksure aplomb of a striker in form - dinking past the dive of a crestfallen keeper.

Within four minutes and Bayern had hit their fourth after a great move involving the imperious Samuel Kuffour and Pizzarro ended up at the feet of Makaay, who fed Ze Roberto and the gifted midfielder slotted home with ease.

The peripheral but neat Van der Vaart nearly delivered a consolation with a near post drive but Oliver Kahn was equal to it and then the ineffective Wesley Sneijder deserved better with a glorious strike that drifted wide.

Ajax can take credit for endeavouring to play football but in Makaay and the roving threat of Ze Roberto, Munich possess attacking potency that will not be easily subdued this season.

Player ratings

Bayern Munich	Team Statistics	Ajax
4	Goals	0
2	1st Half Goals	0
10	Shots on Target	3
9	Shots off Target	5
2	Blocked Shots	4
6	Corners	5
13	Fouls	16
0	Offsides	8
2	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
76.3	Passing Success	81.8
36	Tackles	25
58.3	Tackles Success	60
43.1	Possession	56.9
53.6	Territorial Advantage	46.4