FC Bayern could not have wished for a better start to the season’s decisive period. A clear and deserved 6-0 win over Borussia Dortmund has heralded the start of the final stretch in FCB’s campaign. “The first game after an international break is sometimes complicated,” said Robert Lewandowski. “But we showed from the first minute that we can play and wanted to win.”
“We were just on the ball from the off,” added sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. “You could see how we went into challenges, how focused we were and the freshness we showed in our attacking play.” Bayern set off at a frenzy from the first whistle and led after just five minutes from Lewandowski. “It was truly amazing how we played in the first half,” the gobsmacked striker said. Franck Ribery’s supposed goal to make it 2-0 was ruled out, but James did get a second shortly afterwards.
“A great feeling,” James enthused after the Colombian ran the game. The midfielder, who was often found deeper in midfield alongside Javi Martinez, was outstanding with his goal and two assists – both producing goal of the season contenders from Thomas Müller and Ribery to have Bayern 5-0 up by half-time. Lewandowski had added a fourth between those two strikes in a sensational first half.
A rare half-time
“It’s not something that happens every day,” Müller admitted. “When you score five goals in a first half against Borussia Dortmund, it means you’ve done something really right.” Coach Jupp Heynckes said his side "put on a show. Everything in the first half looked so easy, so elegant.” Bayern conserved their energy in the second half but still had extra reason to celebrate when Lewandowski secured his hat-trick just minutes from full-time.
“We controlled the game in the second half because we know we have another important game again on Tuesday, so we wanted to play slower and save our legs,” the hat-trick hero added. Lewandowski & Co. immediately switched their attention to the upcoming Champions League match against Sevilla following the Bundesliga fixture. “We have to prepare properly,” said Salihamidzic. “Everyone has to be serious and switch on, so they’re focused on the next task at hand.”
Boateng's plan for Sevilla
“We’ll travel to Seville with the necessary confidence, but also with the knowledge that it won’t be a given there,” Müller said of the Spaniards’ strengths. The Andalusian side also played yesterday and led league leaders Barcelona 2-0 before succumbing to a 2-2 draw. “It’ll be a completely different game, but we’re ready.” Salihamidzic is also expecting an exciting game: “The fans are looking forward to it. The players will feed on that, and we have to go again.”
From a defensive perspective, the clean sheet against Borussia Dortmund is also a positive ahead of the match at the five-time UEFA Cup/Europa League winners. “It was good going into the Sevilla match,” enthused Jerome Boateng. The world champion is expecting a “tough match” at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but added, “we want to win. It’ll be important to at least score and at best not concede.” Müller is in any case certain: “We’re ready!”
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