Bayern Strikes
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Bayern Munich batter struggling Hamburg 6-0 at home

By Guillermo Kurten

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 10: Robert Lewandowksi of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates with his team-mate after scoring his team's sixth goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Hamburger SV at Allianz Arena on March 10, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by M. Hangst/Getty Images for FC Bayern )
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 10: Robert Lewandowksi of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates with his team-mate after scoring his team's sixth goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Hamburger SV at Allianz Arena on March 10, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by M. Hangst/Getty Images for FC Bayern ) /
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Bayern Munich continue their surge at the top of the Bundesliga table. The reigning champions ran rampant over visitors Hamburg in a 6-0 rout.

Jupp Heycnkes and co. will certainly be pleased and comfortable with their current standing in the league. Bayern Munich now have a 20-point lead atop the Bundesliga table.

The home side have become notorious in recent years for their thrashing of struggling Hamburg. But for Bayern to continue this type of form, they must not take any opponents lightly.

That being said, Bayern were largely in cruise control during today’s match. Veteran Frenchman Franck Ribery and Bayern’s prolific Polish striker Robert Lewandowski were among the standout performers. To help keep the squad fresh, Jupp Heynckes made four changes to the starting line-up ahead of the second Champions League leg against Besiktas.

Bayern open the first half with plenty of drive

The first half saw Bayern Munich open with scintillating hunger and electric play. Hamburg tried to keep their hosts at bay, but it was for nothing in the end. The visitors did their best to hold a more defensive shape and formation, but Bayern only needed a few minutes to open the scoring. About eight minutes in, Franck Ribery made his first mark on the game.

After a sloppy back-pass by Gotoku Sakai, Ribery happily scooped up possession on the left flank. The French winger bypassed the defense and wonderfully touched the ball forward to successfully round the goalkeeper in quick succession and simply tap the ball home. Just like that, early signs were spelling danger for Hamburg.

Ribery rounds the keeper for Bayern’s opener. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Ribery rounds the keeper for Bayern’s opener. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Bayern Munich clearly smelled blood and were eager for more. Just a few minutes later, about 12 minutes played in total, Bayern Munich’s golden boy and star striker doubled their advantage. Arjen Robben found himself on the right and subsequently lended the ball to Joshua Kimmich. The young German lobbed a wonderful cross into the penalty box for Lewandowski to head home.

And with a total of 18 minutes of play gone, Bayern marked their third goal. After David Alaba received a well-placed long ball toward the penalty area from Jerome Boateng, an elegant one-touch pass found its way yet again to Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker made simple work of redirecting the ball into Christian Mathenia’s goal.

Bayern Munich continue to coast in the second half

The home side continued on in the second half similarly to the first. Jupp Heynckes subbed in Corentin Tolisso for Arturo Vidal, who was already on a yellow card. The first action of the half came just under 10 minutes into the second 45.

After Arjen Robben drove the play into Lewandowski in the box, a fortunate deflection from a failed back-heel found its way back to the Dutchman, who has through on goal. Robben made quick work to slam home a vintage left-footed strike behind Christian Mathenia to make it 4-0. Bayern played with a cooler, yet still hunger-filled tempo throughout the duration of the half.

At the 80′ mark, Franck Ribery found himself in possession once again on the left flank. The Frenchman unleashed a blistering solo run through the Hamburg defense. Ribery capped off his personal show with a beautifully placed finesse-shot.

Lewandowski missed his initial chance to wrap up a hat-trick with a failed penalty after Thiago was shoved down inside the box. However, the Pole put a bow on the match and his hat-trick in a second attempt after Joshua Kimmich was brought down from behind just minutes later. With yet another penalty scored, the match was officially killed off at 6-0.

Next: Bayern Munich dominate Hamburg 6-0 at home -- Player grades

Important test ahead

With another three points notched up in the lead, Bayern have a dominating 20-point lead on the rest of Germany. The home side gladly continued the recurring tradition of thrashing Hamburg at home. Now, Bayern must focus on their second test of the Champions League round of 16 against Besiktas in Turkey. Hopefully for the Bavarian contingent, their performance on the day — bolstered by their 5-0 advantage — will see them smoothly into the quarter finals.