Dominant Reds hammer sorry Augsburg

FC Bayern handed Bavarian neighbours Augsburg a thrashing in Saturday's milestone match: it was FCB's' 200th Bundesliga game at the Allianz Arena, and the Reds marked the occasion in style with a 6-0 rout, Robert Lewandowski opening the scoring after the quarter-hour before Thomas Müller added a second. Lewandowski bagged another two goals in the second half, with Thiago and Müller rounding off the scoring. It was an utterly convincing and morale-boosting victory for the German record champions to start off a busy April with no fewer than nine matches.

The German record champions started with Sven Ulreich in goal and Philipp Lahm, Jérôme Boateng, Mats Hummels and Juan Bernat in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Thiago featured in a twin holding role behind Müller, who was flanked by Kingsley Coman and Franck Ribéry, with Lewandowski as lone striker.

Carlo Ancelotti made five changes to the XI that saw off Borussia Mönchengladbach before the international break. Ulreich deputised for Manuel Neuer, who is sidelined with a foot injury. David Alaba, Javi Martínez and Xabi Alonso gave way to Bernat, Boateng and Kimmich, with Coman taking over from Arjen Robben on the right wing.

Twice the post, twice the net

The 75,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena saw the German record champions dominate proceedings but initially fail to create anything of attacking note against the visitors, who were struggling with a lengthy injury roster and parked the proverbial bus. Bayern drew first blood after 16 minutes, when a brilliant Thiago pass carved open the rearguard to find Robert Lewandowski, who once again demonstrated his trademark qualities, a brilliant first touch and a clinical finish, hammering the ball into the top corner of the net and leaving visiting netminder Marvin Hitz rooted to the spot.

The German record champions increasingly created presentable chances against the toothless and reeling visitors. Bayern's passing game was slick and oozed individual quality, the attackers bullying the rearguard, Bernat nutmegging an opponent, and Müller rattling the woodwork twice. The home side eventually doubled the lead after the half-hour, when Müller connected with a Lewandowski cross to score with his knee. Thanks to Lewandowski and Müller it was little more than a footnote at half-time that a handball in the Augsburg box had gone unpunished.

Bogeyman Lewy, sensational Thiago

Lewandowski twisted the knife early after the restart, eluding an opponent to slot home and take his tally to 15 goals in 12 matches against Augsburg. Bayern had plenty more salt to rub into the away side's wounds as Augsburg became increasingly ragged. The Reds sliced through the lines, Lewandowski producing an extraordinary back-heel that invited the galloping Thiago to round off his remarkable display with a tap-in from point-blank range.

Robben came on for Coman after the hour-mark, and Thiago almost bagged a brace, but Bayern hit the woodwork for the third time, the Spaniard's long-range effort crashing off the bar. The dynamic midfielder then left the pitch to thunderous applause, giving way to Renato Sanches before Rafinha replaced Hummels. Lewandowski rounded off his hat-trick against his favourite opponents with ten minutes to go, heading in the rebound after Müller was unable to convert a fine Boateng pass.

Things got more awkward for Augsburg when another fine Boateng pass found Müller, who rasped a drive past Hitz to make it six. Müller picked up a knock as he was felled following his shot and had to leave the pitch, but the native Bavarian was able to return shortly afterwards, before match official Christian Dingert finally put Augsburg out of their misery.

The result takes Bayern onto 65 points from 26 matches, 13 clear of RB Leipzig who won their home match against Darmstadt. The Bavarians are back in action on Tuesday evening, when they travel to face Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen

FC Bayern - FC Augsburg 6-0 (H-T: 2-0)