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Bayern Munich cruised past Stuttgart in their midweek Bundesliga game on Tuesday. Goals from Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski helped them secure a 5-0 win at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
The hosts held their own in the first half, conceding just once. They enjoyed the better share of chances early in the second half. However, Bayern Munich soon put the pedal to the gas, scoring four goals in quick succession, to end the game as a contest.
Gnabry was involved in all five Bayern Munich goals, bagging a hat-trick and assisting the two others. Lewandowski bagged a second-half brace, netting twice in three minutes.
With the clinical win, the Bavarians ensured a top-of-the-table finish ahead of the winter break. On that note, here is a look at the five talking points from the lopsided game:
#5 Injuries mount for Bayern Munich ahead of winter break
Kingsley Coman, the goalscorer in Bayern Munich's 2-1 win over Mainz was taken off the pitch before the clock hit the half-hour mark. It looked to be a hamstring injury suffered by Coman.
He had a bright start to the game. Coman enjoyed some good battles against Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos on the left flank in the game's early exchanges.
However, he clutched the back of his leg after a sprint down the flank. Coman was immediately taken off, with Leroy Sane taking his place. Sane picked up the assist for Bayern Munich's first goal of the game.
The extent of Coman's injury will become clear after some time. However, he has become another key player sidelined by injury, possibly on account of Bayern's busy schedule.
Coman joins Corentin Tolisso, Leon Goretzka, Josip Stanisic, Eric Choupo-Moting and Joshua Kimmich in the Bayern Munich casualty list. Fortunately, they only have one game left to play this year. So Coman's injury should not have a noticeable impact on Bayern Munich's performances.
#4 Bayern Munich maintain their 100% scoring record in the Bundesliga this season
Bayern Munich had another great day in the office. They cruised to another win, scoring for the tenth consecutive game across competitions.
Bayern are now only the third team across Europe's top five leagues to score in every league game this season. Liverpool in the Premier League and Inter Milan in Serie A are the only two other teams to have done so.
Bayern's goal-scoring record becomes even more impressive, as they have scored in every Bundesliga game since February 2020. Their league scoring streak started after a goalless draw with RB Leipzig.
#3 Robert Lewandowski ends his mini goal-drought with a sublime finish
Robert Lewandowski scored Bayern Munich's third and fourth goals against Stuttgart to return to scoring ways. He drew a blank against Barcelona in the Champions League, and also in the Bundesliga game on Saturday against Mainz.
Lewandowski bagged a second-half brace on Tuesday to take his goal tally for the Bundesliga campaign to 18. The Polish striker has enjoyed a prolific year in 2021, scoring over 60 goals for club and country.
Both of his goals on the night were assisted by hat-trick hero Serge Gnabry. Lewandowski scored his first of the night by calmly chipping his effort over Florian Muller. The second was less complicated, as Gnabry's pass was directed into the back of the net by Lewandowski from close range.
#2 Lewandowski equals Gerd Muller's record for most Bundesliga goals in a calendar year
Robert Lewandowski broke Gerd Muller's record of most goals in a single Bundesliga campaign last season, scoring 41 times. With his brace in Bayern Munich's 5-0 win over Stuttgart on Tuesday, he is now on the verge of breaking another of the German legend's longstanding record.
The Bayern Munich striker has now equalled Muller's record of most Bundesliga goals in a calendar year (42). Muller recorded the impressive tally in 1972.
With just one Bundesliga game remaining to be played this year, Lewandowski will look to create more history in the German top flight against Wolfsburg on Saturday.
The Bayern Munich star has not been silent about losing out on the Ballon d'Or award this year. So reaching Muller's historic landmark would help him prove yet again why he is arguably the best player in the world at the moment.
#1 Serge Gnabry helps Bayern Munich put Stuttgart to the sword
Serge Gnabry had one of the best games of his career against Stuttgart. He almost single-handedly helped Bayern Munich demolish the hosts on the night. He scored a hat-trick, and was also the provider for both Lewandowski goals.
Gnabry caused problems for the Stuttgart defence from the get-go. However, he was made to wait 40 minutes for his first goal of the night. After a slow start to the second half, it only took Gnabry 20 minutes to register four goal involvements for Bayern Munich.
That marked only the second time in his career Gnabry was involved in five goals in a game (also October 2019 against Spurs, Champions League).
Gnabry was highly clinical as well, scoring from three of his four shots on target. His first two goals were calmly dispatched into the back of the net. The first one was a first-time curler into the top-right corner, while the second was a low-driven strike into the bottom left.
The Bayern Munich player got a bit lucky for his third of the night. That's because the Stuttgart custodian's initial save from Thomas Muller's corner fell kindly to him. Gnabry made no mistake dispatching it into the net from close range.
