On-song Reds down Bielefeld

FC Bayern beat Arminia Bielefeld 4-1 on Saturday evening, taking their first away points this campaign. Thomas Müller opened the scoring before Lewandowski bagged a brace in the first half, Müller adding a fourth after the interval. Ritsu Doan pulled one back for the promoted side and Corentin Tolisso was sent off for a foul as last man, but Bayern cruised to victory.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Niklas Süle, David Alaba and Lucas Hernández in a back four. Tolisso and Leon Goretzka featured in a twin holding role behind Serge Gnabry, Müller and Kingsley Coman, with Lewandowski up front. Javi Martínez, Douglas Costa, Jamal Musiala, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Alphonso Davies took over from Goretzka, Gnabry, Coman, Lewandowski and Hernández in the second half.

Plain sailing

Bayern were utterly dominant throughout, although the first keeper to be called into action was Neuer, who comfortably saved from Doan. Bayern drew first blood through Müller, who leisurely tapped in a loose clearance. Arminia keeper Stefan Ortega made a fine save against Müller, but Lewandowski soon doubled the advantage, smashing home from 18 yards.

The striker saw a header saved before Neuer denied Fabian Klos. Tolisso warmed Ortega's glovesfrom distance, Lewandowski miscuing another header, but he rounded off his brace when he found the net thanks to a slight deflection with the half-time whistle imminent.

Bayern ease off

Neuer denied Christian Gebauer, but Bayern went straight back onto the front foot. Lewandowski was denied by the crossbar, but Müller scored when he converted Lewandowski's pinpoint cross. Bayern's impetus ebbed away now, and the home side pulled one back on the break, Klos inviting Doan to fire home.

Corentin Tolisso was sent off for a foul as last man following a stray Martínez pass, but the decimated German record champions were never in danger. Martínez headed wide, but chances proved few and far between, and referee Daniel Siebert blew for full-time.

The result means Bayern have nine points from four matches. The Bavarians will be back in action on Wednesday, when they take entertain Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen