Bayern extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 11 points with a hard fought 2-1 win over mid table Hamburg. A brace from their leading marksman Robert Lewandowski gave Pep Guardiola's side their 16th win of the season. Hamburg went into the game having lost 3 of their previous 4 home games and looked to rely on their defensive plaudits to keep Bayern out.
Hamburg were the better side in the first half, defending well, and, creating half chances on the break Bayern dominated possession wise but lacked in creativity. Kingsley Coman who was brilliant throughout and by far the best player on the pitch, looked to be the most likely route to goal for the reigning champions. The match looked to be heading to a 0-0 at half-time but an incisive ball over the top of the Hamburg defence from skipper Phillipp Lahm had Thomas Muller through on goal, only for him to be brought down inside the box by an onrushing Rene Adler. Lewandowski, in the form of his life, slotted the ball in to the keepers left from the spot to give Bayern the lead. His 8th goal in 12 games against this opposition.
Hamburg were the better side in the first half, defending well, and, creating half chances on the break Bayern dominated possession wise but lacked in creativity. Kingsley Coman who was brilliant throughout and by far the best player on the pitch, looked to be the most likely route to goal for the reigning champions. The match looked to be heading to a 0-0 at half-time but an incisive ball over the top of the Hamburg defence from skipper Phillipp Lahm had Thomas Muller through on goal, only for him to be brought down inside the box by an onrushing Rene Adler. Lewandowski, in the form of his life, slotted the ball in to the keepers left from the spot to give Bayern the lead. His 8th goal in 12 games against this opposition.
Hamburg came out running in the second half, making all the
early inroads and pushing players forward. Eight minutes into it, they were rewarded for their enterprising play. A spot on free kick from Aaron hunt seemed to miss
everyone and crept into the near post of Manuel Neueur’s goal. Bayern hit back almost immediately the 59th minute. A dreadful corner from Hamburg sparked a counter,but, the home team got enough players back to prevent Lewandowski getting off a clean shot on goal. Bayern upped their play to get back in the lead and a Thumping goal kick from Neuer had them on the attack and the ball eventually hit the back of the net. A nothing shot from Thomas Muller was deflected in by Lewandowski. Muller’s
original shot seemed tame and to be heading into the keepers palms but good
positional play from the Bundesliga top scorer left him unmarked and he punished Hamburg by deflecting past a stranded Adler into the goal. Bayern almost got a third in the 65th
minute through a brilliant free kick from David Alaba , which came off the far post.
Hamburg at this point were committing more players forward and it left them exposed on the break. Costa missed a good chance to kill the game off in the 75th minute. Coman ran past the Hamburg
defence on the right and he seemed too quick for his colleagues as Costa was out
of position when the ball eventually got to him and lead to a shot that was way off goal.
Arjen Robben got a ten minute run out coming on for Douglas Costa, who by his high standards had a poor game. A Foul by Xabi Alonso right outside the box on kevin rudnevs presented an opportunity for the home team to get back in the game,but, a poor free kick meant that they suffered an 8th defeat this season. This leaves them just 7 points clear of the relegation zone.
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