German Bundesliga
Bayern MunichBayern Munich3B LeverkusenBayer 04 Leverkusen1

Bayern Munich 3-1 Bayer 04 Leverkusen

By Jonathan JurejkoBBC Sport
Bayern Munich
Niklas Sule headed in the opener as two players scored on their Bundesliga debut for Bayern for the first time since 2007 - when Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni netted against Rostock

Bayern Munich benefitted from a historic video replay decision as they opened the Bundesliga season with a win against Bayer Leverkusen at a rain-soaked Allianz Arena.

The defending champions, who are bidding for a sixth successive title, were given a second-half penalty after referee Tobias Stieler consulted the video assistant referee (VAR) system which has been introduced to the German top flight.

The official was unsure Robert Lewandowski had been fouled but, after going to the video referees based in Cologne, he awarded a spot-kick and the Poland striker converted for 3-0.

Bayern took an early lead when centre-back Niklas Sule headed in Sebastian Rudy's inswinging free-kick as the two summer arrivals from Hoffenheim combined.

Corentin Tolisso, another new signing from French side Lyon, doubled the lead with a close-range header after the visitors failed to deal with a corner.

After a heavy thunderstorm led to the second half being delayed by about 15 minutes, Lewandowski confidently converted low into the corner when Charles Aranguiz pulled back the Bayern player by his shoulder.

The away side, who flirted with relegation last season before finishing 12th, reduced the deficit when Admir Mehmedi lashed in a 20-yard drive.

But it was not enough to stop Carlo Ancelotti's side, who were missing a host of key players through injury, extending their unbeaten home run to a 23rd league match.

Bayern have won 18 and drawn five since losing to Mainz in March 2016.

Bayern Munich match delayed by heavy rain
Heavy rain started to fall towards the end of the first half in Munich, delaying the start of the second half

Line-ups

Bayern Munich

Formation 4-3-3

  • 26Ulreich
  • 32Kimmich
  • 4Süle
  • 5HummelsSubstituted forFerreira de Souzaat 62'minutes
  • 27Alaba
  • 24Tolisso
  • 19Rudy
  • 23VidalBooked at 63mins
  • 25MüllerSubstituted forRobbenat 61'minutes
  • 9Lewandowski
  • 7RibérySubstituted forComanat 77'minutes

Substitutes

  • 10Robben
  • 13Ferreira de Souza
  • 29Coman
  • 34Friedl
  • 35Renato Sanches
  • 36Früchtl
  • 41Pantovic

B Leverkusen

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Leno
  • 39Henrichs
  • 4Tah
  • 5BenderSubstituted forDragovicat 45'minutes
  • 18Wendell
  • 21KohrBooked at 8mins
  • 20AránguizBooked at 52minsSubstituted forKamplat 61'minutes
  • 9BaileySubstituted forBrandtat 45'minutes
  • 38Bellarabi
  • 14Mehmedi
  • 31Volland

Substitutes

  • 6Dragovic
  • 10Brandt
  • 15Baumgartlinger
  • 17Pohjanpalo
  • 22Yurchenko
  • 28Özcan
  • 44Kampl
Referee:
Tobias Stieler
Attendance:
75,000

Match Stats

Home TeamBayern MunichAway TeamB Leverkusen
Possession
Home51%
Away49%
Shots
Home13
Away19
Shots on Target
Home8
Away4
Corners
Home4
Away5
Fouls
Home13
Away17

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, FC Bayern München 3, Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, FC Bayern München 3, Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1.

  3. Post update

    Hand ball by Arturo Vidal (FC Bayern München).

  4. Post update

    Attempt saved. Arjen Robben (FC Bayern München) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Robert Lewandowski.

  5. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Karim Bellarabi (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin Kampl.

  6. Post update

    Attempt missed. Julian Brandt (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left following a corner.

  7. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Kevin Kampl (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Julian Brandt.

  8. Post update

    Corner, Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Conceded by Corentin Tolisso.

  9. Post update

    Corner, Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Conceded by Sebastian Rudy.

  10. Post update

    Hand ball by Admir Mehmedi (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).

  11. Post update

    Foul by Jonathan Tah (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).

  12. Post update

    Arjen Robben (FC Bayern München) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. Robert Lewandowski (FC Bayern München) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Arjen Robben following a fast break.

  14. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Kingsley Coman (FC Bayern München) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Rafinha.

  15. Post update

    Julian Brandt (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Rafinha (FC Bayern München).

  17. Post update

    Attempt missed. Wendell (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Julian Brandt.

  18. Post update

    Admir Mehmedi (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Kingsley Coman (FC Bayern München).

  20. Post update

    Attempt missed. Robert Lewandowski (FC Bayern München) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left.

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Bayern Munich11003123
2Wolfsburg00000000
2Stuttgart00000000
2Hoffenheim00000000
2Freiburg00000000
2Werder Bremen00000000
2RB Leipzig00000000
2Hertha Berlin00000000
2Hannover00000000
2Hamburg00000000
2Schalke00000000
2Augsburg00000000
2Frankfurt00000000
2B Mgladbach00000000
2B Dortmund00000000
2Mainz00000000
2Köln00000000
18B Leverkusen100113-20
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