Below-par Reds slip to defeat

FC Bayern fell 4-2 to VfL Bochum on Saturday, suffering their fourth defeat this Bundesliga campaign. Robert Lewandowski handed Bayern an early lead, but Christopher Antwi-Adjei levelled the scores five minutes later. Jürgen Locadia, Christian Gamboa and Gerrit Holtmann scored within six minutes before half-time, and Lewandowski's second goal after 75 minutes was not enough to mount a comeback.

The Bavarians started with with Sven Ulreich in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Niklas Süle and Lucas Hernández in a back four. Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Kingsley Coman featured in midfield, with Lewandowski up front. Corentin Tolisso came on for Upamecano at half-time, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Marcel Sabitzer taking over from Müller and Coman in the second half.

Bochum turn the tide

Once referee Robert Schröder has whistled play underway, Locadia fired over, but Bayern went ahead when a Müller chip found Coman, whose header invited Lewandowski to shine with a fine first touch and a clinical finish. The hosts replied almost immediately, Holtmann's pass finding Antwi-Adjei, who beat Ulreich. Lewandowski saw an effort blocked, Coman fired wide and a Kimmich shot sailed just over the bar, with Gamboa blocking Lewandowski's sideways scissor-kick.

Bochum were soon awarded a penalty for handball, Locadia dispatching. The lead boosted the hosts, and the day turned sour two minutes later, when Gamboa's powerful drive found the far corner of the net. Holtmann made it four before half-time, cutting inside from the left and curling into the far corner.

Lewy's goal not enough

The second half almost started as the first one had ended, but Ulreich denied Holtmann after Pavard's stray pass. Bochum had the ball in the net two more times, but both goals were ruled out for offside. Lewandowski soon rounded keeper Esser but had his shot blocked. Süle and Sané fired over, with Holtmann only just miscuing another curler at the other end.

Lewandowski tested Esser and Sané directed a shot just over, but Bayern pulled one back, Lewandowski capitalising on a mix-up in the box and firing home. The Pole stepped up to take a free-kick with five minutes to go but the ball crashed off the bar. Gnabry hit the side-netting, but another goal refused to come, and Schröder blew for full-time.

The result means Bayern have 52 points from 22 matches, nine ahead of Dortmund, who take on Union Berlin on Sunday. The Bavarians will be back in action on Wednesday, when they travel to face Salzburg in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen