troublesome back problem with a goal as Bayern Munich kicked
off the defence of their DFB-Pokal crown with a comfortable 3-
win at Hamburg.
Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring just seven minutes int
the game at the Imtech Arena and David Alaba doubled the
visitors' advantage with stunning long-range strike just before
the break.
Ribery then made it 3-0 with a deflected strike 10 minutes after
half-time, rendering Pierre-Michel Lasogga's late header purely
academic.
However, the game ended on a sour note, with a supporter
invading the pitch just before the full-time whistle and striking
Ribery in the face with his scarf.
Victory sees Bayern keep their hopes of a third successive DFB-
Pokal title alive, while Hamburg's attentions will turn to league
survival.
Hamburg made three changes for the contest, but they were let
down by a first-team regular in the seventh minute as Thomas
Muller intercepted a misjudged back pass from defender
Westermann and fed Lewandowski, who found the net at the
second attempt.
The visitors were dominant and Philipp Lahm came close to
doubling Bayern's lead on 43 minutes only to be denied at
point-blank range by Jaroslav Drobny, but the goalkeeper could
do nothing about Alaba's sensational strike a minute later.
Having received a pass from Xabi Alonso, the Austria
international pushed forward unchallenged into the Hamburg
half, before unleashing a swerving 35-yard effort that a wrong-
footed Drobny could not keep out.
Hamburg found themselves three goals behind on 55 minutes a
Ribery found the back of the net.
Juan Bernat raced down the left and played a pass into the
Frenchman's feet. He cut inside two defenders before seeing a
low drive deflect off Djourou on its way in.
Three minutes later it could have been four but the Hamburg
keeper got down well to deny Muller, and Manuel Neuer was
called into action for the first time on 68 minutes when Lasogga
found room 20 yards from goal to hit a powerful effort.
Bayern boss Pep Guardiola rang the changes just after the hour
but the visitors continued to press and Ribery was denied a
stunning second goal in the 73rd minute.
Substitute Sebastian Rode made good ground down the right
and his cross was met by the winger but his technique-laden
volley was brilliantly tipped around the post by the goalkeeper.
Hamburg finally got themselves on the scoresheet with five
minutes remaining as Lasogga met a Rafael van der Vaart cross
at the back post to head beyond Neuer.
The game ended on a sour note as a crowd member ran onto
the pitch and appeared to lash out at Ribery, sparking angry
reactions from players from both sides, and referee Marco Fritz
immediately blew the final whistle after the invader was taken
away.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.
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