FC Bayern München made the perfect start to their 2015/16 Bundesliga campaign, beating Hamburger SV 5-0. Medhi Benatia headed home a Xabi Alonso free kick in the 27th minute to give the German champions the lead before Robert Lewandowski added a second just after half-time. After that, Germany international Thomas Müller bagged a brace before new signing Douglas Costa topped off an emphatic victory.
Costa, along with fellow new signing Arturo Vidal, was named in the starting XI for his new side. Arjen Robben also started the game out wide. Bayern captain Philipp Lahm returned to the right-back position where he has played so much in his career – but it was the former Germany international who misplaced a pass in the fourth minute to gift Lewis Holtby the first big chance of the game.
Benatia breaks the deadlock
As expected, Bayern dominated the game, but were unable to create many chances in the opening stages against a well-organised HSV defence. Robben came close with a looping header from range, as did Lewandowski after 20 minutes, but the away side stood strong.
It took a set piece for the German champions to break down the Hamburg defence, with Medhi Benatia nodding home an Alonso free kick. After the goal, Bayern had a number of chances to double their lead through Müller and Boateng, whilst Michael Gregoritsch also came close to putting the ball into his own net. Bayern went into the break 1-0 up, knowing that a second was never far away.
Müller strikes twice after the break
After the restart, Bayern began to assert their dominance further. HSV keeper Adler was forced into a good save from a David Alaba free kick, and Lewandowski also went close with an effort from inside the box. Rafinha came close to finishing off a lovely move, but he too was denied by Adler.
A few minutes later, the Hamburg goalkeeper was left with no chance. 20 minutes from time, Costa picked up the ball on the right wing and curled in a perfect cross to the near post with the outside of his left foot. Thomas Müller was the only player on the move in the box, and the Germany international nipped in front of his defender to head home past a helpless Adler. Just three minutes later, the striker was on the scoresheet again, rounding the keeper and slotting home after being played in by Lewandowski. Bayern came close to making it 5-0 with good efforts from Alaba and Costa, and the Brazilian was able to top off an excellent individual performance with a well-deserved goal in the 87th minute. The winger capitalised on some poor defending to whip the ball into the far corner from the right-hand edge of the box. Five goals in what was a five-star performance for FC Bayern München.