Robert Lewandowski, Benjamin Pavard and Alphonso Davies shined the brightest for a brilliant Bayern Munich side in their 5-0 thrashing of Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Bayern Munich continued their relentless push towards the Bundesliga title with an emphatic 5-0 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday. The defending champions thoroughly dominated the game right from the get-go and were ahead after 15 minutes, when Zanka turned the ball into his own net after a scuffed effort by Benjamin Pavard.
At the half hour mark, Pavard got his goal, when he nodded in from Joshua Kimmich’s goal. Heading into half-time, Bayern were three goals up, as Robert Lewandowski started and finished off a fantastic move to break his duck against Dusseldorf.
Robert Lewandowski makes it 3-0. He’s now scored against every single current Bundesliga club ? pic.twitter.com/vjDe5srffG
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) May 30, 2020
Lewandowski then doubled his haul just five minutes post the interval and the win was rounded off just a couple of minutes later, with Alphonso Davies also getting his name on the scoresheet. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Hansi Flick’s men.
Manuel Neuer: 7/10
One of the easiest outings of the season for the Bayern Munich captain. With the hosts dominating the game all throughout, Neuer did not have a great deal to do, but he did make a couple of fine saves to preserve his clean sheet. As precise as ever with the ball on his feet, completing six long balls and 93 percent of his passes.
Benjamin Pavard: 9/10
Bayern Munich’s stranglehold on the game meant Pavard had the license to spend much of his time in the final third. As a result, he posed a constant threat down the right flank, although he did stick to his defensive duties as well when the situation demanded it and was never dribbled past as a result.
A couple of interceptions were vital and Fortuna Dusseldorf never managed to create a threat from his side. A solid effort was also rewarded with a second goal in three games, as Pavard headed in from Joshua Kimmich’s corner. One of the best in the world in his trade.
David Alaba: 8/10
Alaba once again started at the heart of the Bayern Munich defence, albeit with a new partner in Lucas Hernandez. The Austrian, however, continued to perform at a high level, expertly negating the Dusseldorf attackers all through the game. His long passes created a lot of threat and he should have had a stunning assist to show for his effort, if not for Thomas Muller’s miss from close range.
Lucas Hernandez: 7.5/10
Lucas Hernandez made his first start since the return of Bundesliga and was a picture of composure at the back. The French international won each of his duels (3) and made an interception and tackle each in what was a defensive masterclass before being subbed off at half-time. No concerns over his fitness, though, as it was later revealed that the substitution was just precautionary.
Alphonso Davies: 9/10
There is no replacing Alphonso Davies under Hansi Flick and the impressive youngster showed exactly why against Dusseldorf. In an all-action performance, Davies won six duels, blocked a shot, completed 2 interceptions, won 3 tackles and created 2 big chances. He also completed a strong showing with a goal from his only shot in the game. Just continues to grow with every game.
Leon Goretzka: 9/10
With Kimmich advancing forward more and more, it was Goretzka who sat deep and set the tempo of the game. The German international excelled at it, as Bayern dominated the game from the first whistle till the final. In fact, his awareness in the middle of the park was critical in ensuring that Dusseldorf never really found themselves in the tie. Has come off age so well this season.
Joshua Kimmich: 9/10
Usually the midfielder who sits back and protects the backline, Kimmich was asked to take up more advanced positions against Dusseldorf and he did so with elan. Kimmich’s energy and aggression in the final third meant Bayern quickly won the second balls, with the player himself completing eight ball recoveries.
Joshua Kimmich’s game by numbers vs. Fortuna Düsseldorf:
89% pass accuracy
50 forward passes
8 ball recoveries
2/3 tackles
1 assistWorld class wherever he plays. ? pic.twitter.com/fHYJEGOIst
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 30, 2020
Instrumental in both of Robert Lewandowski’s goals and got an assist for Pavard’s strike. And such is his class that he slotted in seamlessly as a centre-back after Hernandez was taken off. An absolute gem at the disposal of Hansi Flick.
Kingsley Coman: 7/10
Like Gnabry on the opposite flank, Coman blew hot and cold in the game. While he did send the Dusseldorf defender back-pedaling at times, he was also wasteful in possession and lost the ball 11 times. Crosses carried a lot of threat, however, and his link-up with Pavard was promising. Not too far off from his best, though.
Thomas Muller: 8/10
A top class effort by Muller, who looked much more creative and threatening here than he did against Borussia Dortmund earlier in the week. The 30-year-old made 2 key passes and grabbed an assist for Lewandowski’s first.
Should have scored one himself, only to shoot way over at the hour mark. Industrious and energetic off the ball, though, he made four recoveries. Most importantly, however, Muller is now on top of the assists charts in Europe – what a fine renaissance he continues to enjoy under Flick.
Serge Gnabry: 7.5/10
A bit of a hit and miss game for Gnabry, who has not yet found his top levels since the restart of the season. Nevertheless, he grabbed an assist for Lewandowski’s second goal. That effort meant that Gnabry is now part of an exclusive club of players with double figures for both goals and assists in Europe’s top five leagues – only Lionel Messi and Jadon Sancho have achieved the feat so far.
Passing was his major shortcoming, with the German international completing just 66 percent of his attempted passes. He also lost the ball 12 times, although Dusseldorf could not really manage to pounce on it; so, no harm done. Should slowly get there.
Robert Lewandowski: 9/10
Bayern Munich’s talisman was in his elements once again after a quiet evening last time out against Dortmund. His first goal was sublime, as Lewandowski started the move with a superb flick before finishing off the move with a tap-in. That goal also meant that Lewandowski has scored against every single club currently in the Bundesliga.
29 & 43 – Following his 29th Bundesliga goal of 2019-20, Robert Lewandowski now has 43 goals in all competitions this season – the joint best goal return in a season of his career (alongside 2016-17). Incredible. https://t.co/k4w6vBe9RB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 30, 2020
Added another goal to his tally just five minutes into the second half to take his haul for the season to 43 goals in 37 games. With 29 of those goals coming in the Bundesliga, he is now the outright top scorer in Europe’s top-five leagues this season. Gerd Muller’s long-standing 40-goal haul might just be beatable after all, although it will still take a special effort from Lewandowski to do so.
SUBSTITUTES
Mickael Cuisance: 7/10
Introduced at half-time, this was Cuisance’s chance to make an impression. Sitting in the midfield double pivot alongside Goretzka, the youngster kept things simple to help Bayern continue exerting control on the game. Even took aim at goal a couple of times, but a first goal for Bayern Munich remains elusive.
Ivan Perisic: 7/10
On for Coman around the hour mark, Perisic posed a great deal of threat down the left flank and got in one key pass. Slowly getting back to his best after a long injury layoff.
Alvaro Odriozola: 7/10
With the game already won, Odriozola got a rare opportunity. Solid at the back, he was never dribbled past by a Dusseldorf player and he even had decent defensive numbers for a cameo – one clearance, interception, ground duel won and tackle each. Accurate with the ball at his feet, his crosses carried a lot of threat. Should get more chances once the Bundesliga title is won.
Joshua Zirkzee: N/A
On for the final 15 minutes, Zirkzee barely got a touch on the ball.
Oliver Meier: N/A
A fresh pair of legs for the final 10 minutes. But, a memorable game nonetheless for Meier, who made his senior debut for Bayern Munich.
