Arminia Bielefeld 1-4 Bayern Munich: Player Ratings as Lewandowski and Müller Dominate

Bayern Munich strolled to an assured 4-1 victory over Arminia Bielefeld, inflicting the first defeat on home soil for their newly promoted hosts since October 2019.

The reigning German and European champions put in a controlled performance, displaying a wide range of approaches to attack a far from hapless Arminia Bielefeld side.

Thomas Müller opened the scoring for Bayern inside the first ten minutes, almost reluctantly putting the ball into the net after his attempted pass rebounded kindly to him. Having played a key role in the build up to Bayern's first, Robert Lewandowski got himself on the scoresheet before the half-hour mark before exchanging assists with Muller to pump up the scoreline.

Arminia Bielefeld's Ritsu Doan netted a consolation in the 58th minute but Bayern - having conceded seven goals in their two previous Bundesliga games - looked much more defensively resolute.

Corentin Tolisso's ill-timed challenge as Bayern's deepest outfielder resulted in a 76th-minute red card, though Bayern remained scarcely troubled as they saw out a convincing victory.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Manuel Neuer (GK) - 8/10 - Bayern's front-foot approach was symbolised by Neuer's eagerness to take a throw-in inside the opening ten minutes. Aside from Doan's consolation, Neuer largely stood firm on the few occasions Bielefeld snuck beyond Bayern's backline.

Benjamin Pavard (RB) - 7/10 - The French World Cup winner spent most of his time high on the right, either acting as a valuable outlet or decoy.

Niklas Süle (CB) - 7/10 - The bruising 6'5 centre-half coupled a convincing defensive display with a fizzed pass into Lewandowski's feet in the build up to Bayern's opening goal.

David Alaba (CB) - 6/10 - Alongside the expected flurry of penetrative balls into the final third, the Austria international did lose the flight of more than one long, lofted pass.

Lucas Hernández (LB) - 7/10 - Another of Bayern's Gallic global champions was more defensively minded on the night than his countryman on the other flank.

2. Midfielders

Corentin Tolisso (CM) - 5/10 - The dismissal of Bayern's third World Cup winner - enforced by a terrible pass from Javi Martínez - prematurely ended what was shaping up to be an impressive performance for Tolisso in the absence of Joshua Kimmich.

Leon Goretzka (CM) - 8/10 - At his energetic, high-pressing best, Goretzka teed Lewandowski up for his first of the night. The 25-year-old's importance to the side was underlined when Hansi Flick ensured he was one of the first to be rested shortly after the hour mark.

Thomas Müller (AM) - 9/10 - Last season's record-breaking assist-maker seemed intent on bettering that honour in the lead up to his first goal, trying to find Kingsley Coman before converting the rebound. Müller would indeed register an assist and another goal before the night was out.

3. Forwards

Serge Gnabry (RW) - 7/10 - Bayern's number seven fluidly interchanged positions with Müller throughout the match, although looked considerably more comfortable in his normal role out wide.

Robert Lewandowski (ST) - 9/10 - UEFA's Player of the Year lived up to that lofty billing with a frighteningly complete performance, playing a crucial role in all four of Bayern's goals while he was on the pitch.

Kingsley Coman (LW) - 7/10 - In his first Bundesliga start of the season, Coman fulfilled the crucial defensive duties every Bayern player is expected to adhere to, winning the ball back ahead of the game's second goal.

4. Substitutes

Javi Martínez (CM) - 4/10

Douglas Costa (RW) - 5/10

Jamal Musiala (LW) - N/A

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (ST) - N/A

Alphonso Davies - N/A