An Arjen Robben strike and an own goal provoked by a relentless period of second-half pressure saw Bayern come from behind to earn a deserved victory away to spirited but error-prone Werder Bremen, who conceded a third to sub Miro Klose and lost keeper Tim Wiese to a straight red card at the end.
The 40,500 capacity crowd at the Weser stadium saw a lively and high-tempo first period, the struggling home side making the better start but Bayern easing into gear as the half wore on. However, the final pass went astray too often at both ends and the sides turned round with the score 0-0, although that all changed just two minutes after the restart when Per Mertesacker broke the deadlock for the home team.
Bayern were stung into action and Robben levelled on 65 minutes, before the champions were rewarded for a sustained onslaught with an own goal by the luckless Mertesacker 15 minutes from time. FCB were in the driving seat now and Klose added another goal four minutes from time, and the home side’s misery was completed at death with Wiese’s dismissal.
The win means Van Gaal’s men climb to third in the standings on 36 points from 20 matches, still 14 points off leaders Dortmund but only three behind Leverkusen in second. The Bavarians are on the road again in their next fixture, the Bundesliga trip to struggling Köln next Saturday.
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