Rousing Reds thrash Freiburg

FC Bayern convincingly handed new head coach Jupp Heynckes a successful return by downing SC Freiburg 5-0 on Saturday. Freiburg's Julian Schuster put through his own goal and Kingsley Coman doubed the lead before half-time. Thiago closed out the meeting after the hour mark, Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich adding gloss to the scoreline.

Boss Heynckes opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, his troops lining up with Sven Ulreich in goal and Kimmich, Jérôme Boateng, Mats Hummels and David Alaba in a back four. Javi Martínez and Thiago featured in a twin holding role behind Thomas Müller. The native Bavarian wearing the armband was flanked by Arjen Robben and Coman, with Lewandowski as an orthodox centre-forward.

Sebastian Rudy came on for Martínez midway through the second half, with Corentin Tolisso and Niklas Süle taking over from Müller and Boateng late in the contest.

Kingsley rewards Reds

The 75,000 capacity crowd saw the Reds go straight onto the front foot, but the first chance fell to the visitors, Ryan Kent racing clear and forcing Ulreich into a fine intervention. But Munich drew first blood early in the contest when Schuster, under pressure from Thomas Müller, put through his own goal.

Bayern were in command throughout the first half, but the visitors were dangerous when they broke, Mike Frantz sending a header just wide of Ulreich's left-hand post. Coman then netted a crucial second before the interval, Robben drawing a save from Alexander Schwolow and FCB's French youngster directing the rebound into the back of the net with a stunning header.

Reds shine in blistering second half

Proceedings were similar after the restart, and Lewandowski almost closed out the meeting, but the Poland captain saw his effort blocked. Match official Frank Willenborg then pointed to Freiburg's spot but revised his decision after watching video replay footage.

But Bayern impressively demonstrated they did not need help from Lady Luck, Thiago soon curling a fine 20-yarder into the low corner of the net. Heynckes' troops had plenty more salt to rub into the visitors' wounds, Müller winning possession in Freiburg's half and inviting Lewandowski to add his name to the scoresheet. The German record champions refused to ease off and Schuster had reason to thank Schwolow, who prevented an ill-fated own-goal brace for the midfielder. Tolisso, Robben and Rudy all missed presentable chances, but the final flourish came in the dying seconds when Kimmich's brilliant back-heel found the net.

Bayern now have 17 points from eight matches - and the promise of more. The Reds are back in action on Wednesday, when they entertain Celtic in the Champions League before travelling to face Hamburg in the Bundesliga next Saturday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen