Bayern rose admirably to the challenge posed by an energetic and well-drilled VfL Bochum side, easing to an ultimately comfortable 3-0 victory and claiming three vital points in the Bundesliga title race.
The first 31,328 capacity crowd of the season at the Rewirpower stadium saw a physical first 45 minutes with no quarter given or asked, but Bayern were clearly up for the fight and deservedly led at the interval through Ze Roberto's rasping 32nd-minute drive.
The home side were reduced to ten men three minutes after the restart when Marc Pfertzel was dismissed for a foul as last man on sub Jose Sosa, but Lukas Podolski's weak penalty drifted well wide.
Philipp Lahm made sure the miss did not matter with his side's second on the hour, the Bavarians opting for possession football to preserve the lead without due discomfort, until Martin Demichelis slotted home in the last minute to wrap up the routine victory.
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