Smashing Fortune Düsseldorf to a whopping 5-0 win, Bayern Munich continue to increase their goal and points tally at the top of the Bundesliga table. Robert Lewandowski had another brace as the Bavarians cruised to a victory after taking a 3-0 lead before the half time whistle. Here are four observations from the game.

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Bayern back to pre-pandemic form

Tight passing, quick movement, high pressing, and beautiful link-up play — a description of Bayern under Hansi Flick before the pandemic slammed the brakes on almost all global activities and football with it. At a time when Bayern seemed just to be clicking into their best form of the season and one of the best they’ve been in ages, they were forced to wait for nearly two months without a single game. Since the Bundesliga’s restart two weeks ago, however, Bayern look to be back to their best in this game, right from the start even before the implosion of the Dusseldorf defense. Bayern deservedly put them away for a 5-0 win, registering 21 shots and creating 17 chances. The home side pinned the opposition down with nearly 70 percent possession and a whopping 603 successful passes (88%).

A solid performance from record-signing Lucas Hernandez

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Injuries and the rise of Alphonso Davies at left-back had put Lucas’ place in this Bayern squad doubtful in the minds of many fans. As if to refute rumours emerging that the club are planning to move him in the summer, Lucas showed for 45 minutes today why the Bayern bosses chose to pay an exorbitant sum to bring him to Bavaria. Confident on the ball, Lucas looked nothing like someone enjoying his first start in nearly four months. Linking up well on the left with Davies and the midfield, he had no problem holding his own when subjected to pressure by the opposition forwards. When he occasionally had to make a tackle, Lucas took no prisoners — winning all 3 of his duels. A lot of praise for 45 minutes, but the quality of performance with the promise of more to come was very evident today.

We hope the adductor injury that led to his premature substitution proves to be nothing serious.

Benjamin Pavard almost scores a hat-trick!

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It’s become common knowledge now among the Bayern fanbase that Benjamin Pavard continues to put in solid defensive performances matchday after matchday, but of late he has upped his attacking contribution too. The opening goal, an own-goal by Mathias Jørgensen, was deflected off a shot by Pavard. The Frenchman won a header in the 29th minute off a Joshua Kimmich corner, to put the ball in the bottom corner and score his second goal in four games. Benji also registered 4 shots, a joint high with the club’s number 9, Robert Lewandowski. With the club supposedly on the lookout for a “more attacking-minded” right-back, this performance from Pavard once again shows the balance he brings in defence and the more than occasional flashes of attacking brilliance when needed. A great day in the office for the world cup winning fullback duo!

A sloppy Düsseldorf side

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For the first fifteen minutes the away side managed to clear dangerous balls, stop darting runs, and rush their own box with numbers to win the ball back and catch Bayern off-guard on the counter. Bayern put this plan to bed with a goal in 15 minutes from the starting whistle. The Düsseldorf defense were in shambles once the second Bayern goal went in before the half-hour mark. Having just over 30 percent possession of the ball and not managing to trouble Neuer with the two chances they had, the Düsseldorf side never posed any serious threat and failed to stop the Bayern attacks before the lead became insurmountable. All in all, a bad day at the Allianz Arena for Düsseldorf head coach Uwe Rösler and his men.