Bayer Leverkusen 2-4 Bayern Munich: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Lewandowski's Brace Seals Domestic Double

Robert Lewandowski took his goal tally to 51 for the 2019/20 season with a second-half brace as Bayern Munich secured yet another domestic double.

Die Roten made a perfect start when David Alaba curled in a free-kick past Lukas Hradecky to give them the lead. And minutes later, they were two goals up, after Serge Gnabry drilled the ball into the net following Joshua Kimmich's inch-perfect pass.

Leon Bailey had Leverkusen's best chance of the half when he fired over from close range, and it was one of the few opportunities they had as they were completely shut out by Bayern in the first 45 minutes.

Despite Peter Bosz's side playing with a greater intensity after the break, Lewandowski made Hradecky pay with a first-time shot that the goalkeeper somehow managed to bundle into his own goal. But their opponents refused to give up, and Sven Bender's header gave them some hope that they could make an unlikely comeback.

Yet Bayern's Polish figurehead netted his 51st goal not long afterwards, and despite Kai Havertz's late penalty, it was not enough to stop Hans-Dieter Flick's side from picking up a record 20th DFB-Pokal.

Bayer Leverkusen

Key Talking Point

Was this to be Kai Havertz's final game for Leverkusen? The sought-after attacking midfielder has been linked to Chelsea, Real Madrid and also their final opponents - so there were many keen to watch his performance, including Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Unfortunately for his suitors, he couldn't get himself into the game from the start. The 21-year-old was given little space and time to exert any influence, with his team completely nullified by Die Roten's backline. It looked to be a frustrating outing for him as Peter Bosz's side struggled to get out of their own half throughout the first period.

In the second period, he seemed much more involved, as his team came out with a greater intensity and energy in their attacks. With Kevin Volland taking on the centre-forward role, the German international was freed up to roam around the final third and increasingly became a threat for Leverkusen.

Havertz would eventually got his goal through a late penalty, netting with what may be his final kick for Bosz's side as rumours around his future will continue to swirl in the summer.

Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings

Starting XI: Hradecky (6); L Bender (6), S Bender (7), Tapsoba (6), Wendell (5); Aránguiz (7), Baumgartlinger (6); Diaby (7), Amiri (6), Bailey (7); Havertz (6).

Substitutes: Volland (6), Demirbay (6), Bellarabi (6), Weiser (N/A).

Leon Bailey

While his team struggled at times, winger Leon Bailey was one of the few to shine, and gave Benjamin Pavard all sorts of problems on the left-wing.

The Jamaican had his side's best chance in the first-half, and he was a constant threat as his team began to regain control after the break.

Bayern Munich

Key Talking Point

It's been a remarkable season for Bayern, who have gone unbeaten in all competitions since December, and have manager Hans-Dieter Flick to thank for bringing them back to their best.

The 55-year-old has restored the huge attacking threat of this team, while also making them a difficult one to score against. On Saturday evening it was no different, with the midfield pair of Kimmich and Leon Goretzka untroubled in dictating the tempo of the game. The frightening pace of Alphonso Davies and Gnabry was on show once again, while David Alaba was as solid as ever in defence.

And up front, the sensational goalscoring of Lewandowski doesn't hurt either, with the Pole's second-half strikes illustrating just how potent and lethal he can continue to be for Die Roten.

It's hard to see how the Bundesliga champions aren't favourites for another title next season, and with Flick at the helm, they could arguably be considered Europe's best side ahead of the Champions League's restart in August.

Bayern Munich Player Ratings

Starting XI: Neuer (6); Pavard (6), Boateng (6), Alaba (7), Davies (7); Kimmich (8*), Goretzka (7); Gnabry (7), Müller (7), Coman (6); Lewandowski (8).

Substitutes: Perišić (6), Hernandez (6), Coutinho (N/A), Thiago (N/A).

Joshua Kimmich

Helping to dictate the game from midfield, Joshua Kimmich showed just why he's considered one of the best central midfielders in the world with another superb display.

His defensive work was terrific in keeping Leverkusen quiet in the first-half, while his assist for Gnabry's goal was inch-perfect, showing just what a talent Bayern have in the centre of the park.