Football
Mark Lovell, Bayern Munich blogger 6y

Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller team up to dismantle Werder Bremen

Two goals apiece from Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski ensured a hard-fought 4-2 win in Bayern's first home match following the winter break, after lowly Werder Bremen had the temerity to take the lead through Jerome Gondorf and Niklas Sule's own goal levelled in between.

Positives

Bayern's sixth consecutive Bundesliga title is a mere formality, as they have stretched their lead to an imposing 16 points.

Negatives

Bayern made heavy weather of their 15th win in a row against hapless Werder -- the longest win streak in the history of the Bundesliga.

Manager rating out of 10

8 -- Bayern will continue their "charm offensive" to convince the 72-year-old Jupp Heynckes to stay on beyond the summer after racking up win No. 17 out of 18 in his fourth spell in charge.

Player ratings (1-10, with 10 the best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Sven Ulreich, 7 -- Didn't have a lot to do but made a smart save from Thomas Delaney to prevent Bayern from going two behind and also produced a brilliant save from Werder's captain Zlatko Junuzovic to keep his side ahead at 3-2.

DF Juan Bernat, 6 -- Started impressively in tandem with Franck Ribery after replacing David Alaba at left-back, who was ruled out with a stomach bug. To sum up, Bernat is better going forward than when asked to defend.

DF Jerome Boateng, 7 -- Boateng's fantastic long pass found Muller for the equaliser, looking more secure than his younger partner Niklas Sule.

DF Niklas Sule, 5 -- A second-half own goal after a spot of pinball from a corner capped a mediocre afternoon for Bayern's summer signing from Hoffenheim.

DF Joshua Kimmich, 6 -- Caught out for the opening goal on his return at right-back but made up for it with some impressive second-half thrusts.

MF Javi Martinez, 6 -- Not at his best in his 100th Bundesliga game and rightfully gave way to Arturo Vidal with the game locked at 1-1. Has now racked up 85 wins, easily beating the previous best, Arjen Robben's 78 wins in a century of league games.

MF Franck Ribery, 6 -- Started brightly down the Bayern left but faded somewhat after having a shot cleared off the line on 70 minutes.

MF James Rodriguez, 8 -- Bayern's signing of the season provided an exquisite cross for Lewandowski on 57 minutes, which their top scorer, unusually, failed to bury. But James repeated his perfect delivery to Lewy for the go-ahead goal from a corner six minutes later and fed Muller for his 100th Bundesliga goal. Heynckes said at the postmatch news conference: "James has fantasy and is an amazing player."

MF Arjen Robben, 5 -- Another ineffective display. It's clear to see that the Dutch master is not yet up to full tilt after another injury enforced absence.

MF Thomas Muller, 9 -- The result was almost a formality once captain Muller fired a brilliant equaliser, chesting down a long ball from Boateng before unleashing a tremendous first-time shot past the helpless Jiri Pavlenka. Bayern have not lost in 78 games when Muller scores -- 74 wins and four draws. Just to make sure, Muller reached his Bundesliga century of goals with six minutes remaining, latching on to James' perfect through ball -- not to forget his perfect cross for Lewandowski's second goal and assist No. 104.

FW Robert Lewandowski, 8 -- Largely anonymous in the opening period, clearly feeling his way back after a patella injury that forced him out against Leverkusen. But he exploded into life after the break with two well-placed second-half headers, taking his tally to a goal a game in 17 starts.

Substitutes

MF Arturo Vidal, 7 -- Replaced Martinez just before the hour and breathed new life into Bayern's play, immediately testing Bremen's goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka with a fierce shot.

MF Kingsley Coman, 6 -- Almost as quiet as the man he replaced Robben.

FW Sandro Wagner, NR -- Replaced Lewandowski with 13 minutes remaining for his first Bayern home appearance since August 2007, when he came on for the Italian goal machine Luca Toni for an hour's work.

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