Bayern stay perfect with big victory over Hamburg

FC Bayern beat Hamburg 5-0 on Saturday evening to maintain their perfect start to the Bundesliga season. Serge Gnabry, Aleksandar Pavlović, Harry Kane and Luis Díaz handed Munich a more than comfortable half-time lead, with Kane adding a fifth in the second half.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer between the sticks and Konrad Laimer, Jonathan Tah, Dayot Upamecano and Josip Stanišić in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Pavlović anchored a midfield featuring Michael Olise, Gnabry and Luis Díaz, with Kane up front. Debutant Nicolas Jackson and Raphaël Guerreiro came on for Gnabry and Upamecano at half-time, but Guerreiro soon had to be replaced, Tom Bischof taking over. Lennart Karl and Sacha Boey took over from Kane and Luis Díaz in the second half.

Impressive first half

Bayern hit the ground running and took an early lead when Laimer set up Gnabry, who nutmegged a defender and unleashed a belter into the far top corner of the net. It was all Bayern and Pavlović soon crowned fine interplay to double the lead. HSV keeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes denied Olise before William Mikelbrencis tested Neuer at the other end.

Díaz fired wide before Munich were awarded a penalty on review for handball, with Kane dispatching his 66th Bundesliga goal in as many appearances. Díaz added more gloss to the scoreline when he found the net with the help of a deflection. Further chances came and went for Díaz, Gnabry and Olise as Bayern went into half-time four up.

Five-star display

The intensity of the game dropped after the break, but Bayern were always a step quicker than the promoted side. Neuer denied Mikelbrencis, with clear-cut chances at a premium for a spell, but Kane added the final flourish after the hour, when he rounded off a counter he had initiated himself.

Heuer Fernandes denied Karl and Jackson before Robert Glatzel headed over at the other end. A deflected Olise shot crashed off the bar as Bayern claimed a deserved victory that moves them to nine points from three games.

The Bavarians will be back in action on Wednesday when they entertain Chelsea in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen