Bayer Leverkusen 1-5 Bayern Munich: Lewandowski, Gnabry score brace as Bayern hammer the hosts

Robert LEWANDOWSKI and Thomas Müller of FC Bayern München
Robert LEWANDOWSKI and Thomas Müller of FC Bayern München - IMAGO / RHR-Foto

Bayern Munich thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 5-1 at BayArena as the defending champions continued their impressive run this season.

The Bavarians showed no mercy to the home side in the first half, netting five goals. Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry scored a double each while Thomas Muller also found the scoresheet.

The visitors could have added a few more goals in the second half but they couldn’t capitalise on the opportunities. On the other hand, Leverkusen had their consolation goal through striker Patrik Schick.

The win takes Julian Nagelsmann’s side to the top of the Bundesliga table, a point ahead of rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Lewandowski’s scoring form continues

Robert Lewandowski has been in blistering form this season, scoring 15 goals in 11 games across all competitions. Although he wasn’t on target in the previous two games, the Polish striker returned to his best today against the hapless Leverkusen side. Lewandowski is currently on par with Erling Haaland in Bundesliga scoring charts ( 9 goals) and if he keeps on scoring at this rate, he might well end up retaining the European Golden boot.

Joshua Kimmich ran the show in the midfield

Bayern’s attackers might have stolen the limelight for today’s win but Joshua Kimmich was equally brilliant. The midfield general pulled the strings in every possible way although he couldn’t score or assist. From winning the ball to spreading the passes, Kimmich hardly put a foot wrong against Bayer. The German superstar’s importance to Bayern has been growing year after year and it wouldn’t be a stretch to call him one of the best midfielders in the world at the moment.

Nagelsmann continues to rack up big wins

It is not the first time we are seeing Bayern record a big win this season as they have done it multiple times under new manager Julian Nagelsmann. Hansi Flick made Bayern an unstoppable force in Europe during his reign and his successor Nagelsmann appears to be no slouch either. Bayern’s relentless pressing, counter-attacking and ability to dominate possession are the hallmarks of the young German manager, who continues to make a statement after every match days.