Bayern Munich 4-1 Greuther Furth: Player ratings as Bundesliga leaders avoid slip-up
By Tom Gott
Bayern Munich had to come from behind to avoid another shock Bundesliga defeat on Sunday, eventually seeing off bottom side Greuther Furth 4-1 at home in a tale of two halves.
Julian Nagelsmann's side, who were shockingly thumped 4-2 by Bochum in their last league game, came out with a lot of energy but really struggled to get through Furth, who were defending for their lives.
Furth had the first big chance of the game. Jamie Leweling profited from some sloppy defending to get himself one-on-one with Sven Ulreich but could not guide his effort past the veteran goalkeeper.
By the 20-minute mark, Furth were actually ahead on possession and Bayern were repeatedly running into a wall, failing to find a way through the visitors' resolute defence.
That stat did change in Bayern's favour, but the lack of quality in front of goal was startling and the league leaders had to wait until the dying embers of the half for their first decent chance - Thomas Muller's shot was routinely saved.
To make matters worse for Bayern, they went into the half-time break 1-0 down as Branimir Hrgota's free-kick deflected off Marcel Sabitzer and into Ulreich's top corner.
Bayern needed just 30 seconds of the second period to get themselves level. Serge Gnabry got in behind and flicked the ball over to Robert Lewandowski, who bundled it over the line from close range.
That goal changed the tempo of the game. Bayern charged forwards relentlessly and whipped countless crosses into the box, and that pressure eventually led to a second on the hour mark.
Thomas Muller's low cross was fizzed into the box and eventually found its way into the back of the net off of the unlucky Sebastian Griesbeck.
Max Christiansen's long drive from range struck the outside of the post soon after, giving Bayern a reminder that they could not afford to switch off at the back, but Furth struggled to get forward after that and had to bring on another defender to try and stop Bayern's onslaught.
They couldn't stop the league leaders, however, as Lewandowski headed home a second ten minutes from the end and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting added a fourth in stoppage time to seal all three points.
Bayern Munich player ratings vs Greuther Furth
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Sven Ulreich (GK) - 6/10 - Could do nothing about the goal but did well enough otherwise.
Benjamin Pavard (RB) - 5/10 - Not good enough going forwards. Whipped in too many aimless crosses. Stayed back after the break which was the right move.
Dayot Upamecano (CB) - 6/10 - Poor in the first half but a nice ball for Gnabry to tie things up after the break. Involved in the build-up for the second too.
Lucas Hernandez (CB) - 3/10 - Bodied by the excellent Leweling in the first half. Crumbled under any sort of pressure and was fortunate not to give away another goal. Subbed off shortly after the break.
Omar Richards (LB) - 6/10 - Involved a lot down the left but disappointed in the final third. His inexperience was clear. Surprisingly taken off at the break.
2. Midfielders
Joshua Kimmich (DM) - 6/10 - Isolated in midfield without Leon Goretzka but was given more license to get forwards after the break.
Marcel Sabitzer (RM) - 5/10 - Moved central after Tolisso's injury but didn't do enough at either end of the field.
Corentin Tolisso (CM) - 5/10 - Some nice early passes but forced off through injury after 20 minutes.
Thomas Muller (CM) - 6/10 - Struggled to get involved in the first half but made a difference after the break. Dropped a little deeper to get involved.
Leroy Sane (LM) - 7/10 - Significantly improved in the second half when he stayed out wide. Involved a lot more and played a number of dangerous balls into the box.
3. Forward
Robert Lewandowski (ST) - 8/10 - Enjoyed the extra space afforded to him in the second half. Grabbed two goals and could have had one or two more.
4. Substitutes
Serge Gnabry (RM) - 9/10 - His introduction saw Bayern up their tempo and, unsurprisingly, he was involved in most of the goals. An excellent showing.
Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (ST) - 7/10 - Didn't do a lot apart from his goal but his mere presence distracted defenders and gifted more space to his team-mates. A genius switch from Nagelsmann.
Niklas Sule (CB) - 6/10 - Barely needed at the back. A good header to set up Lewandowski.
Marc Roca (DM) - N/A
Paul Wanner (LM) - N/A