Bayern Munich survive battle with Ingolstadt, win Herbstmeisterschaft

Bayern Munich survived a fierce Bundesliga battle in a Bavarian Derby against Ingolstadt to win 2-0. One would never have guessed that this was Ingolstadt's first ever season in the Bundesliga with the way that they challenged Bayern all over the field, forcing FCB to earn every inch of grass that they won.

Ingolstadt started the match immediately pressing the Bayern defense. Their pressing was so well done that Manuel, Neuer, Jerome Boateng, and Holger Badstuber completely forgot how to pass the ball. There was almost a catastrophe in the first minute with Ingolstadt grabbing a goal, but the Bavarians pulled it together and prevented the visitors from striking first.

Finally, after numerous petering attacks, FC Bayern finally had a good chance. Joshua Kimmich played Robert Lewandowski in behind the Ingolstadt defense with a brilliant pass. With the defenders trailing him and the goalkeeper charging, Lewandowski chipped the ball toward the net. Unfortunately, Romain Brégerie managed to track back to the goal line and kept the match scoreless with a last second clearance.

As the first half came to a close, the better opportunities fell to the feet of the Ingolstadt players as they continued to press Bayern and make life miserable for the FCB defense. However, Manuel Neuer is great and kept Bayern in the match, and the first half ended scoreless.

Nothing makes Bayern Munich fans happier than seeing Philipp Lahm score a goal. So, at the start of the second half, everyone held their breath in anticipation of what was to come. Unfortunately, Ramazan Özcan was up to the task and kept the captain out of the goal.

A few minutes later, a burst of speed from Kingsley Coman put the young Frenchman behind the Ingolstadt defense. His low cross to Robert Lewandowski was met with a delicious backheel, but Özcan made himself a wall and kept the ball out.

Ingolstadt were not to be discouraged and kept coming at Neuer. A break down the left side allowed Mathew Leckie to send in a cross to Stefan Lex. However, Neuer came up big and denied the goal.

Finally... FINALLY... the breakthrough came for FC Bayern. Robert Lewandowski latched onto a long ball just a split second before Özcan could get to it. With nobody between him and the goal, Lewandowski managed to turn the ball in from a ridiculous angle to give Bayern the 1-0 lead.

Then, OH MY WORD IT HAPPENED! Thomas Muller was on the left side of the penalty area with the ball at his feet, but three Ingolstadt players were charging at him. He looked across the box and saw his captain standing there with nary a man in sight. With a sliding effort, Müller got the ball over to Lahm, and the rest was history. The captain stepped up with a curling left footed shot that beat Özcan to give Bayern the 2-0 lead and essentially ice the match.

Bayern move eight points clear at the top of the table with Borussia Dortmund still to play tomorrow.. However, with only one Bundesliga matchday remaining before the winter break, FCB have officially clinched the Herbstmeisterschaft.

Match Details

Bayern Munich 2-0 Ingolstadt

Bayern Munich: Robert Lewandowski (65), Philipp Lahm (75)
Ingolstadt: None

Bayern XI: Neuer; Rafinha, Badstuber, Boateng (Alonso 70), Lahm; Kimmich, Martinez, Vidal (Thiago 51); Coman, Lewandowski, Muller (Rode 79)

Ingolstadt XI: Ozcan; Bauer, Bregerie, Matip, Levels; Cohen (Wannenwatsch 53), Roger, Groß; Leckie, Hinterseer (Multhaup 78), Lex (Christiansen 67)