Bayern Munich climb top with thumping win over Paderborn

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:30 am
Robert Lewandowski scored Bayern Munich's second of their four goals.
CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images

Bayern Munich ended Paderborn's dream start to life in the Bundesliga with a comfortable 4-0 win which took them to the top of the table for the first time this season.

Mario Gotze grabbed a brace while Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller were also on target at the Allianz Arena.

Paderborn's hopes of defending their place at the top of the table and creating another upset were effectively over within 15 minutes, although they still put up a brave fight before two late goals finished them off.

Arjen Robben made his return to the Bayern team after missing the weekend's 0-0 draw with Hamburg due to injury, and he played a hand in three of his side's goals.

The first, in the eighth minute, was instigated by Robben, whose pass to Muller was then turned inside with a neat backheel by the Germany international for Gotze to place inside the near post.

The writing already seemed to be on the wall for the East Westphalians, and it became a case of damage limitation from the 14th minute when Lewandowski's not necessarily irresistible shot found its way past Lukas Kruse in the Paderborn goal.

The visitors had the chance to pull a goal back when Idir Ouali was put clean through on goal, but the nerves seemed to get to him as he could only manage a weak shot straight at Manuel Neuer.

Bayern tried to add a third, but without really breaking too much of a sweat in view of their hectic schedule of games which sees them back in Champions League action next week.

It was not until the 78th minute that they were able to put a seal on their victory.

Robben was involved again with a cross from the right which Muller turned towards goal.

Kruse was not beaten this time, but the ball fell for Gotze to lift into the roof of the net from point-blank range.

Robben then sent in another cross in the 85th minute which Muller turned in at the near post to complete the rout and take Bayern to the top of the pile, inflicting the first defeat of the season on Paderborn.