Bayern Munich: Serge Gnabry (15″), Philippe Coutinho (55″), Robert Lewandowsli (79″)
Paderborn: Kai Proger (68″), Jamie Collins (84″)
Bayern Munich went to top of the Bundesliga league table on Saturday, as their ruthless attacking display ensured a hard-fought win against spirited Paderborn in Benteler Arena.
Following a bright start from the hosts, Robert Lewandowski uncharacteristically missed on the chance to score in front of an open goal. However, Bayern did not have to wait for long, as Serge Gnabry latched on to Philippe Coutinho’s chipped pass. The German international finishing cooly past goalkeeper Jannik Huth from a tight angle. Gnabry later assisted for Bayern’s second. Joshua Kimmich chipped the ball to the former Arsenal youth star, who put it into the path of Coutinho to push into an empty net.
Substitute Kai Proger pulled one back for Paderborn with just over 20 minutes to go, striking sweetly on the half volley to half the deficit, but Bayern extended their lead again shortly after, this time through Lewandowski.
Jamilu Collins scored an absolute rocket as Paderborn pressed late on, Manuel Neuer appearing sluggish while looking through a crowd of players.
Alcantara then made way for Javi Martinez and Canadian winger Alphonso Davies replaced Lukas Hernandez at left-back, as the record Bundesliga champions rang in a double-change in a bid to press home their advantage. Moments before being substituted by Müller, Lewandowski latched on to a pass from Robert Huth. This ball was forwarded to Coutinho by Huth, but former allowed it to pass by him as Lewandowski was in better position for the move.
By finding the net, the Polish striker set the record for the most goals in the opening six games of a Bundesliga season, bettering the tally of nine managed by Jupp Heynckes, Gerd Muller, Peter Meyer and Lothar Emmerich over the same number of fixtures. With this win, the German champions went to top of the Bundesliga, with former leader RB Leipzig sensationally losing 3-1 at home to Schalke.
Team
Men in White ⚪#MiaSanMia #SCPFCB pic.twitter.com/li2YwthKWu
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) September 28, 2019
Hier ist die Startelf für #SCPFCB!#SCP07 pic.twitter.com/qf61ZqXMzZ
— SC Paderborn 07 (@SCPaderborn07) September 28, 2019
Head to Head
After Match
Steffen Baumgart: “We put into practice a lot of what we wanted. The way the lads did it was good but it just wasn’t enough. At the end of the day we must admit it’s one or two details that spoil it for us again and again. But it’s about the way we play football.
“My team turned in a terrific display, regardless of the result. After all, we didn’t take on any old team. We ultimately conceded too many goals but the performance was good, so we’ll continue like that.”
Niko Kovac: “We had enough chances to put the game to bed in the first half. We failed to do that, so the game just went as it did. It’s always tight then, such a match can always go awry.”
Coutinho has impressed early on in his Bayern career and Kovac was full of praise for his showing at the Benteler-Arena.
“He [Coutinho] speaks for himself. At the end of the day, everyone who was at the stadium today, everyone who saw today’s game, was able to see once again the skills that he possesses, what kind of qualities he has with the ball,” Kovac said. “At times it really looks like he’s dancing with the ball, you have to say it like that. He knows exactly what to do when, how and where with the ball.
“The first goal he assists magnificently, but immediately after the pass he sprints into the box because he also wants to score.”And for his goal, the combination was the other way around. Serge [Gnabry] assists him after a superb pass. That’s individual quality.
“He will definitely help us even more, he’s already contributing well, he’s integrated and happy here. “And when a player from South America, from Brazil, is happy, with that kind of quality, you can see how fantastic that is.
