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Bayern Munich beat VfB Stuttgart 4-0 to maintain their four-point lead atop the 2020-21 Bundesliga table, thanks to an imperious Robert Lewandowski hat-trick.
The defending champions were reduced to ten men in the 12th minute of the game when Alphonso Davies was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Wataru Endo. However, despite their numerical disadvantage, Bayern Munich took charge of proceedings.
Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for the hosts in the 17th minute after being set up brilliantly by Serge Gnabry. Minutes later, Gnabry doubled Bayern Munich's lead by capping off a brilliant team move. Less than 60 seconds later, Thomas Muller set up Lewandowski for Bayern Munich's third of the night.
The Polish international grabbed his third of the night to seal his hat-trick before half-time as Bayern Munich continued their march for an unprecedented ninth-consecutive Bundesliga title.
On that note, let us take a look at five talking points from the match.
#1 Bayern Munich impress with their defensive solidity
Despite getting reduced to ten men early on in the game, Bayern Munich put in a massive shift at the back.
The centre-back duo of Jerome Boateng and Niklas Sule were fabulous, as they foiled every attack that came down the centre. Benjamin Pavard was brilliant on the right flank too.
David Alaba aced the role of a pseudo-left-back after Alphonso Davies was sent off as Bayern Munich registered a creditable clean sheet despite going a man down.
#2 Hansi Flick completes 50 league games in charge of Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich's game against VfB Stuttgart was Hansi Flick's 50th in charge of the Bavarian giants in the Bundesliga.
The German's record is quite impressive in the league. He has won 40 games, drawn five and lost five. In this period, Bayern have scored an impressive 151 goals.
Incidentally, Flick won the continental treble for Bayern Munich last season.
#3 Stuttgart fail to capitalise on their numerical advantage against Bayern Munich
VfB Stuttgart lost grip of the game against Bayern Munich as they let their guard down after Alphonso Davies was sent off. They paid the price as Robert Lewandowski put one past Gregor Kobel to put Bayern Munich in the lead.
Die Schwaben failed to muster a response. Gnabry then capped off a brilliant team move to put Bayern Munich firmly on the ascendancy as the visitors slumped to a heavy defeat.
#4. Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry revive memories of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben
Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry drove the VfB Stuttgart defenders crazy, oozing class on the night as they bamboozled the hosts with their electrifying pace and fleet feet.
Gnabry scored a goal and also set up another. Meanwhile, Leroy Sane registered an assist to his name.
Most of Bayern Munich's attacks came down the flanks as both wingers capitalised on the smallest of spaces. The duo combined well with Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller up front.
#1 Robert Lewandowski continues his imperious form
Robert Lewandowski scored a first-half hat-trick to seal the deal for Bayern Munich. The Polish international, in the process, took his tally to 35 goals in 26 games in the league as he closes in on Gerd Muller's record of 40 goals
Lewandowski scored a perfect hat-trick despite Bayern Munich playing with a man down for most of the game.
Lewandowski (271) is now the second-most prolific scorer in Bundesliga history, moving past Klaus Fischer. He has scored a staggering 42 goals in all competitions this season as he looks for a rousing finish to his campaign.
