Ten-man Reds fall to ruthless Frankfurt

FC Bayern fell to a frustrating 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday afternoon. Jérôme Boateng saw a straight red card early in the match, Frankfurt making the most of their numerical superiority, Filip Kostić and Djibril Sow handing the home side a two-goal lead. Robert Lewandowski pulled one back before half-time, but David Abraham, Martin Hinteregger and Gonçalo Paciência scored for Eintracht in the second half.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Boateng, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Thiago and Joshua Kimmich featured in a twin holding role behind Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller and Philippe Coutinho, with hitman Lewandowski up front. Kingsley Coman, Javi Martínez and Leon Goretzka took over from Coutinho, Müller and Goretzka in the second half.

Lewy gives decimated Reds hope

The 48,000 capacity crowd in Frankfurt saw a high-octane encounter, with an early Gnabry effort giving notice of Bayern's approach. Kostić fired wide at the other end before Neuer beat striker Bas Dost to the ball. Calamity struck when Boateng upended Paciência as last man, match official Markus Schmidt pointing to the penalty spot first, but he awarded a free-kick and showed Boateng a straight red card after VAR intervention.

Neuer made a fine save to deny Paciência, Eintracht keeper Frederik Rönnow denying Davies. Kostić put the home side ahead when he slotted in following a mix-up in Bayern's box. Kostić soon saw another shot deflected, the ball falling to Sow at the far post, who slotted home to double Eintracht's advantage. Bayern went looking for a reply and soon had the ball in the back of the net, but Kimmich's goal was ruled out for an offside position. But Lewandowski pulled one back, receiving the ball 20 yards out and wriggling his way past four Frankfurt men before beating Rönnow.

Bitter second half

Bayern opened up in search for an equaliser, but it made them vulnerable at the back, and the day turned sour when David Abraham converted a Danny Da Costa cross after the restart. A Lewandowski effort was blocked by Abraham before Neuer made a strong save against Dost. Hinteregger added a fourth for Frankfurt when he headed home on the hour. Neuer and Davies denied Kostić with a joint effort before the latter drew another fine save from Neuer.

Davies soon beat Rönnow but was denied by the post before Paciência converted an André Silva square. Neuer denied Da Costa before Lewandowski saw a header blocked, and Schmidt blew for full-time.

The Bavarians will be back in action on Wednesday, when they entertain Olympiacos in the Champions League before taking on Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga next Saturday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen