On-fire Reds down Leipzig

FC Bayern downed RB Leipzig 4-1 on Saturday evening, laying down a marker on the road. Robert Lewandowski handed Bayern an early lead from the penalty spot, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané extending the advantage after the restart. Konrad Laimer pulled one back for Leipzig, but Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting rounded off the scoreline in injury time.

The Bavarians lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernández and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller and Leroy Sané, with Lewandowski up front. Gnabry had to be subbed off with injury before half-time, Musiala taking over. New signing Marcel Sabitzer, Choupo-Moting, Josip Stanišić and Niklas Süle came on for Goretzka, Lewandowski, Pavard and Müller in the second half.

Lewy converts from the spot

Once referee Deniz Aytekin whistled play underway, the 34,000 crowd in Leipzig saw an intense first half between two evenly-matched sides. Neuer comfortably saved from Angelino, Lewandowski firing wide at the other end. Bayern were soon awarded a penalty for handball, Lewandowski converting with aplomb to put Bayern ahead.

The contest was long on aggression but short on chances for a spell, with both sides solid at the back. Gnabry and Kimmich saw their shots blocked before Lewandowski squared for Gnabry, but a defender beat the latter to the ball. Angelino blasted over, Neuer denying Laimer. Lewandowski miscued an effort, and Neuer's fine save against Olmo meant the sides turned round with Bayern a goal to the good.

Scorching second half

Bayern twisted the knife straight after the restart, Davies' low cross finding sub Musiala, who shone with a brilliant first touch before beating keeper Gulacsi. Lewandowski fired wide before Silva slotted past Neuer, but the linesman's flag was up for offside. Gulacsi saved from Lewandowski but Bayern added a third when a Musiala cross invited Sané to volley home.

Leipzig pulled one back before the hour mark, Laimer's rocket from distance finding the top corner of the net. A Nkunku square only just evaded Silva before a Sabitzer effort was blocked. Neuer beat Nkunku to a throughball, Poulsen blasting just wide in the closing stages. Gulacsi made a strong save against Sabitzer, but the final flourish came in injury time, Kimmich's fine pass finding Choupo-Moting, who slotted past Gulacsi.

Bayern will be back in action on Tuesday, when they travel to face Barcelona in a mouth-watering Champions League clash.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen