Vidal, Coman and Lewandowski on target as victorious Bayern Munich bounce back against Hannover
A historic Robert Lewandowski goal from the penalty spot added to earlier strikes by Arturo Vidal and Kingsley Coman to help Bayern Munich get back to winning ways against a determined Hannover side who briefly matched the hosts in an entertaining encounter.
Bayern Munich 3-1 Hannover
Goals: 1-0 Vidal (17'), 1-1Benschop (35'), 2-1 Coman (67') 3-1 Lewandowski (pen 87')
Still smarting from a Matchday 13 loss against Borussia Mönchengladbach, the defending champions hit the front in the 17th minute. Returning to action following a seven-game injury absence, Thomas Müller’s flighted pass from the right was met by a firm Vidal header. The Chilean looked on as his effort evaded Robert Lewandowski and goalkeeper Philipp Tschauner before nestling in at the far post. In a bizarre sequence of events that followed, Lewandowski had a goal ruled out by VAR moments before Hannover were awarded a penalty, Sven Ulreich halting Felix Klaus’s forward surge into the area. Niclas Füllkrug slotted home the subsequent spot-kick but after the referee cried foul for encroaching, the forward’s retake was saved. Hannover’s despair was short-lived, however, with Charlison Benschop’s angled header from a corner providing the visitors with plenty of cheer before the break.
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Looking to add a fifth straight home win in all competitions under coach Jupp Heynckes, Bayern went for the jugular after the restart. James Rodriguez sent a couple of identical, arced shots away from goal while a third clipped the crossbar. Substitute Corentin Tolisso then drew a flying save from Tschauner as the hosts turned the screw. It appeared a home goal was coming, and it duly arrived when Müller again provided accuracy from the right in finding Kingsley Coman whose close control set him up for a thundering close-range finish high into the net. Lewandowski spurned two good chances to close the game out, but the Polish marksman made no mistake from the penalty spot to become the first Bayern player to score in his team's first seven home games.
Match stats
- Arturo Vidal scored in his third consecutive Bundesliga game, a career first.Bayern have already suffered as many defeats this season (two) as the whole of 2016/17.The champions are still unbeaten at home and have won all five competitive matches under Jupp Heynckes at the Allianz Arena by a combined scoreline of 16-1.Hannover have lost on their last ten visits to the record champions – their longest winless run against any team.The promoted side have won just one of their 28 Bundesliga visits to Bayern – a 1-0 triumph in November 2006.Robert Lewandowski has scored 11 goals in 13 Bundesliga games against Hannover.His late penalty saw the Polish forward become the first Bayern player to score in seven consecutive home games at the start of a season.
Watch: Arturo Vidal gives his thoughts on Bayern's victory
Line-ups
Bayern Munich: Ulreich - Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Rafinha - Martinez (Tolisso 58'), Vidal - Müller (Alaba 79'), James, Coman (Ribery 89') – Lewandowski
Subs: Starke, Alaba, Friedl, Süle, Ribery, Rudy, Tolisso
Absentees: Neuer (foot), Bernat (muscular), Robben (thigh), Thiago (thigh)
Coach: Jupp Heynckes
Hannover: Tschauner (c) - Sorg (Albornoz 80'), Sane, Anton - Korb, Schmiedebach (Fossum 46'), Bakalorz, Ostrzolek - Klaus, Füllkrug, Benschop (Harnik 68')
Subs: Esser, Albornoz, Maier, Harnik, Fossum, Hübner, Karaman
Absentees: Felipe (groin), Bech (knee), Prib (knee ligament damage), Jonathas (thigh), Schwegler (illness)
Coach: Andre Breitenreiter