Bayern sends message to rivals with 5-1 win at Leverkusen
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E-mail Xinhua, October 18, 2021
Bayern Munich returned to winning ways after Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry both scored twice to break Bayer Leverkusen's resistance within 37 minutes of the first half in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
The Werkself started brightly but made the worst possible start on home soil as Lewandowski opened the scoring with his back heel to shock the hosts in the 4th minute.
Bayern gained the upper hand and pressed Leverkusen on the back foot after Leroy Sane and Leon Goretzka came close in quick succession in the 20th minute.
Bayern's efforts were rewarded on the half-hour mark when Alphonso Davies danced through Leverkusen's area and teed up for Lewandowski, who wrapped up his brace from close range.
The visitors pressed relentlessly and made it 3-0 after Thomas Muller deflected an effort from Niklas Sule to beat hapless Leverkusen custodian Lukas Hradecky four minutes later.
Things quickly went from bad to worse as Bayern showed no mercy and added another two goals before half-time through Gnabry, who needed less than two minutes to notch his brace.
After the restart, Leverkusen adjusted their style of play while Bayern sat back.
The hosts were eventually rewarded for their efforts and scored a consolation goal 10 minutes into the second half after Florian Wirtz's through-ball allowed Patrik Schick to beat Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann made a number of substitutions but his team still penetrated Leverkusen's territory. Although Bayern continued to be offensively-minded, they couldn't extend the lead despite promising chances in the closing stages.
"We had a number of opportunities and kept Leverkusen at bay for most of the game. A higher win would have been possible as well as we remained dangerous. In the second half, we retracted a bit but we were still in control," said Nagelsmann.
Said Leverkusen head coach Gerardo Seoane, "With only a few minutes played we already had to swallow the first goal. That was tough for my young team. Bayern then turned up and needed only seven minutes to put the game to bed. They clearly demonstrated why they are one of Europe's best teams. I saw some improvements in the second half and we have to build on this."
With the result, reigning champions Bayern move back to top in the Bundesliga standings, while Leverkusen remain in third spot.
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