Lewandowski hits hat-trick as Bayern thrash Bremen

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FC Bayern München kicked off the defence of their Bundesliga title with an emphatic 6-0 win over SV Werder Bremen that included a hat-trick for striker Robert Lewandowski.

FC Bayern München 6-0 SV Werder Bremen

Goals: 1-0 Alonso (9'), 2-0 Lewandowski (13'), 3-0 Lewandowski (46’), 4-0 Lahm (66’), 5-0 Ribery (73’), 6-0 Lewandowski (pen. 77’)

Bayern were in control from the outset at the Allianz Arena, and Xabi Alonso set them on their way with a brilliant, dipping volley from long-range that flew past Werder keeper Felix Wiedwald. Robert Lewandowski doubled the lead just four minutes later, picking up a fine pass from Franck Ribery and having enough time to place his shot across Wiedwald into the far corner. Bayern kept Wiedwald busy before half-time, forcing him into making a string of saves including one that took a Lewandowski shot onto the crossbar, while Thomas Müller struck the base of the post.

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The champions were in no mood to relent following the break, and were three goals up inside of a minute of the restart. Müller capitalised on Werder giving the ball away in their own half and crossed with pinpoint accuracy towards Lewandowski, who leapt high to guide the ball home from inside the six-yard box for his second of the night. Full-back Philipp Lahm waded in, playing a one-two with Müller and driving the ball in off the post and Ribery made it 5-0 when he drove a pass from Müller high beyond Wiedwald. Lewandowski completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot following a clear pull by substitute Max Eggestein on Rafinha. It sealed a fine night’s work for the hosts, whom Werder could barely lay a glove on all evening.

Report: Tim Oscroft

Man of the match

Lewandowski bagged a hat-trick, but Müller pulled the strings – he made three assists and could have been on the scoresheet but for the woodwork getting in the way of his low drive from long range.

Talking point

Bremen looked content to sit back and allow Bayern onto them from the start. However, two goals within 13 minutes would suggest that the tactic did not work, and the rest of Bundesliga would be well advised to try something different for the rest of this season.

Match stats

    Bayern had 27 attempts on goal; Bremen had just four.Lahm has scored three of his 14 Bundesliga goals against Bremen – more than against any other side.Alonso's goal was the earliest in a season opener since Müller's effort in the ninth minute against VfL Wolfsburg in 2009.

Line-ups

Bayern: Neuer, Lahm (c.) (Rafinha 74'), Javi Martinez, Hummels, Alaba (Bernat 78'), Thiago, Alonso (Kimmich 63'), Vidal, Muller, Lewandowski, Ribery

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti

Bremen: Wiedwald - Caldirola, Bauer, Yatabaré, Fritz (c.), Johannsson (Sternberg 63'), Diagne, Bartels (Thy 88'), Gebre Selassie, Sané, Grillitsch (Eggestein 74')

Coach: Viktor Skripnik