GreenBkk.com FCB | Kaiserslautern 0 Bayern 3

Kaiserslautern 0 Bayern 3

Hat-trick for Gomez, five straight wins for FCB

27.08.2011

Mario Gomez blasted a hat-trick as jubilant Bayern went top of the Bundesliga with a convincing 3-0 victory away to Kaiserslautern on Saturday afternoon, avenging a shock defeat in the corresponding fixture a year ago to the day. There was a difference in class between the teams at times in a one-sided encounter, as the Bavarians go into the international break on the back of a fifth win on the bounce – and a fifth clean sheet to boot.

The boisterous 49,780 capacity crowd at the intimidating Betzenberg stadium saw a breathless first ten minutes with a host of chances for the visitors, but 37 minutes had been played before Gomez netted the opener from the penalty spot. The same player doubled the advantage ten minutes after the restart, putting away the rebound after his second penalty was saved by home keeper Kevin Trapp, and the Germany striker added his third with a simple finish 20 minutes from time. The game ended with the disappointing home side a man down after Ivo Ilicevic received his marching orders for kicking out at Anatoliy Tymoshchuk.

The ultimately comfortable victory means FCB top the Bundesliga standings on nine points from four matches, ahead of Werder Bremen on goal difference, although Gladbach and Hannover can both overtake the top two with wins on Sunday. The bulk of the Bayern squad now head off on international duty for ten days, before reconvening in Munich to prepare for the Bundesliga fixture at home to Freiburg in a fortnight.

Jupp Heynckes opted for two changes to the team which beat FC Zürich in midweek, David Alaba making a first start of the season at Toni Kroos’ expense, and Tymoshchuk returning to the side in place of Luiz Gustavo. The boss decided not to tinker with his defence, explaining his preference for Jerome Boateng over Rafinha as a tactical decision to counter Lautern’s strength in the air at set pieces.

With Arjen Robben still injured, the attacking unit comprised Franck Ribery and Alaba on the flanks, and Thomas Müller in behind Gomez, who passed a fitness test before kick-off. FCK boss Maro Kurz, a winner against FCB with four different clubs as a player and coach, went for a five-man midfield in an effort to stifle Munich’s creativity and deliver the Red Devils’ first win of term.

Once referee Peter Gagelmann whistled play underway, the visitors exploded off the blocks and could have been four up in the first ten minutes, but Trapp prevented an own goal by Martin Amedick from Ribery’s free-kick, and Gomez blasted the rebound against Leon Jessen on the goal line.

Trapp kicked out Daniel van Buyten’s near post flick from Holger Badstuber’s corner and beat away Bastian Schweinsteiger’s 20-yard drive, before Philipp Lahm shot wide with only the keeper to beat following a superb exchange of passes with Müller.

Israeli striker Itay Shechter obliged Manuel Neuer to intervene for the first time with 12 minutes played, and the pace dropped for a spell as Lautern’s shape improved. Trapp got down easily enough to Lahm’s bobbling shot and Ribery miskicked from a good position after Müller flicked on Boateng’s long throw, before Neuer comfortably gathered Christian Tiffert’s optimistic long-range effort.

FCB finally took a long overdue lead eight minutes before half-time when Brazilian defender Rodnei clearly handled Gomez’ headed pass into the box, the striker himself stepping up to coolly beat Trapp from the penalty spot. There was one minor scare for the Bavarians before the break when Tiffert intercepted Neuer’s short clearance, but nothing came of it and Müller forced a corner at the other end, from which Shechter headed Gomez’ header off the line.

Ribery set up the first chance after the restart but Trapp stood up well to Gomez, before Tymoshchuk belted a half-volley over the bar. Mr Gagelmann then awarded Bayern a second penalty, the unlucky Rodnei again at fault with a foul on Müller. Trapp parried Gomez’ spot-kick on this occasion, but the striker bided his time and put away the rebound.

With the visitors firmly in the driving seat now, the only sign of an FCK rally was sub Konstantinos Fortounis’s shot over the bar from an Ivo Ilicevic lay-off, but any lingering doubts evaporated on 69 minutes when Müller brushed off Amedick’s challenge and thrust to the by-line before squaring for the unmarked Gomez to complete his hat-trick from ten yards.

Gustavo, Nils Petersen and Kroos took over from Alaba, Gomez and the outstanding Schweinsteiger for the closing stages, but the match had run its course long before then. There was just one more incident of note, as Ilicevic chose to vent his frustration on Tymoshchuk and saw a straight red card seconds before the final whistle.

Live match report for fcbayern.de by Chris Hamley

Match stats

1. FC Kaiserslautern - Bayern Munich 0-3 (H-T: 0-1)

1. FC Kaiserslautern: Trapp - Dick, Amedick, Rodnei, Jessen - Petsos (Orban 87) - Walch (Sukuta-Paso 62), Tiffert, De Wit (Fortounis 57), Ilicevic - Shechter

Substitutes: Sippel, Abel, Orban, Kirch, Sahan

Bayern Munich: Neuer - Boateng, Van Buyten, Badstuber, Lahm - Tymoshchuk, Schweinsteiger (Kroos 88) - Alaba (Luiz Gustavo 83), Müller, Ribéry - Gomez (Petersen 85)

Substitutes: Butt, Contento, Rafinha, Pranjic

Referee: Peter Gagelmann (Bremen)

Spectators: 49,780 (capacity)

Goals: 0-1 Gomez (37, pen), 0-2 Gomez (55), 0-3 Gomez (69)

Yellow Cards: Alaba / Petsos, Rodnei, Fortounis

Red Cards: Ilicevic (90)

Credit: FC Bayern Munich (www.fcbayern.t-com.de)