Impressive Reds down Hertha

FC Bayern beat Hertha Berlin 5-0 on Saturday evening, claiming their fourth victory within 12 days. Thomas Müller handed Bayern an early lead, Robert Lewandowski doubling the advantage before half-time. Jamal Musiala added a third after the restart, Lewandowski adding two more to round off a hat-trick.

The Pole had a number of reasons to celebrate on Saturday. He was presented with the German Footballer of the Year award before kick-off, and his goals meant he has now scored in all of his last 13 Bundesliga matches, a personal best. He also set a new record in German football, now boasting goals in 16 consecutive matches in all competitions. Besides, he has now surpassed the milestone of 300 competitive goals for Bayern, second only to the legendary Gerd Müller. At the other end of the field, another Bavarian claimed a new record: Manuel Neuer kept his 205th clean sheet, a new Bundesliga record.

The Bavarians started with Neuer in goal and Josip Stanišić, Dayot Upamecano, Niklas Süle and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Serge Gnabry, Müller and Jamal Musiala, with hitman Lewandowski as sole striker. Tanguy Nianzou replaced Upamecano at half-time, Leroy Sané, Kingsley Coman, Bouna Sarr and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting coming on for Musiala, Gnabry, Stanišić and Müller in the second half.

Two up at half-time

Neuer was the first keeper to be called into action, Hertha's Selke seeing an effort saved and firing over, but Bayern drew first blood after only five minutes, when Müller slotted home from 10 yards to crown fine interplay between Gnabry, Musiala and Davies.

With Hertha more solid at the back now, chances proved few and far between for 20 minutes before Munich hit the gas again, Goretzka seeing an effort deflected behind and heading just wide. Bayern doubled the lead when Lewandowski headed against the bar but rose high to head home the rebound. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but stood after VAR intervention. A Gnabry cross evaded both Müller and Lewandowski, and the sides turned round with FCB two goals to the good.

Hat-trick for Lewy

The champions all but wrapped things up shortly after the restart, Müller dispossessing a defender and teeing up Musiala, who sidestepped an opponent before blasting into the far corner of the net. Lewandowski soon stood his ground against three defenders, only for another Hertha man to throw himself in the way to block.

Bayern shifted a gear down now but were always in control. Lewandowski scored with 20 minutes to go, Sané wriggling his way past two defenders and, after a one-two with Müller, squared for Lewandowski to tap in. Coman had a shot blocked but Lewandowski soon rounded off his hat-trick, a Kimmich corner finding Nianzou at the far stick, who headed back across goal, inviting Lewy to mop up. Hertha almost got a consolation goal when Richter beat Neuer, but the linesman had his flag up for offside, and match official Sven Jablonski blew for full-time.

A number of FCB pros will be on national team duty during the international break before the Reds return to action on 11 September, when they travel to face RB Leipzig.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen