Blistering Reds down Hoffenheim

FC Bayern got off to an impressive start to the second half of the season, beating TSG Hoffenheim 3-1 on Friday evening. The Bavarians were dominant throughout the first half but had to wait for 30 minutes until Leon Goretzka opened the scoring. The midfielder doubled Bayern's lead with the half-time whistle immenent, but Hoffenheim's Nico Schulz pulled one back before the hour mark. For all their dominance, Bayern were on tenterhooks for 30 minutes before Robert Lewandowski put the game to bed with five minutes to go.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Joshua Kimmich, Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels and David Alaba in a back four. Javi Martínez and Thiago anchored a midfield featuring Thomas Müller, Goretzka and Kingsley Coman, with Lewandowski as lone striker. Serge Gnabry and James took over from Coman and Thiago midway through the second half, Jérôme Boateng coming on for Martínez in the closing stages.

Utter dominance

The 30,150 capacity crowd at the PreZero Arena saw the German record champions go straight onto the front foot. Bayern created some half-chances at first, but after the quarter-hour they enjoyed a purple patch, Müller slotting inches wide of the post and Hummels seeing an effort blocked.

Bayern camped out in their oppenents' half now. Goretzka drew a fine save from Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann but soon rewarded the Reds for their dominance when Baumann parried a Lewandwoski header, the summer arrival slotting home with the help of a slight deflection. Bayern eased off a little now but never seemed in danger. Shortly before half-time Bayern staged a lightning-quick counter following a Hoffenheim corner, Goretzka acrobatically connecting with a fine Alaba cross to double Bayern's lead and round off his first Bundesliga brace.

On tenterhooks

The second half began with chances at either end. Leonardo Bittencourt drew a save from Neuer before Coman tested Baumann. The FCB netminder thwarted a Joelinton effort, Kerem Demirbay miscuing the rebound. Baumann proved equal to an Alaba shot, but the home side pulled one back on the break, Schulz leaving Neuer without a chance from 20 yards.

The German champions were on tenterhooks now, with the contest much more balanced. Neuer made a crucial save from Adam Szalai with ten minutes to go, Lewandowski closing out the meeting when James' delicate chip found Müller who invited the Poland captain to slot home and seal three deserved points in the race for the championship title.

The result means Bayern have 39 points from 18 matches, three short of Borussia Dortmund, who travel to face Leipzig on Saturday. The German record champions will be back in action next Sunday, when they entertain Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen