Bayern Munich defender Rafinha celebrates a goal in their Bundesliga match against FC Ingolstadt in Munich on Saturday. Bayern won 3-1. (Photo: AFP)
Bayern Munich defender Rafinha celebrates a goal in their Bundesliga match against FC Ingolstadt in Munich on Saturday. Bayern won 3-1. (Photo: AFP)
Illness-hit Bayern Munich conceded their first goal of the season before roaring back with a 3-1 win at home to Ingolstadt on Saturday to stay top of the Bundesliga.
Having scored 20 goals without reply in winning their first five competitive games, including Tuesday’s 5-0 Champions League drubbing of Rostov, Bayern leaked their first of the season with just eight minutes gone at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
But goals by Robert Lewandowski, Xabi Alonso and Rafinha restored order in the absence of captain Philipp Lahm, defender David Alaba and forward Thomas Mueller to a virus, plus Mats Hummels, who was out with a cold.
“After the drop-outs I had to reorganise the back four,” said Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“It was difficult for us. Sometimes it’s not possible to play well, that is when you have to show other qualities, which is what we did.”
Ingolstadt took advantage of Bayern’s lack of key figures early on.
Australia international Mathew Leckie broke down the left wing and set up Paraguay striker Dario Lezcano, who stroked his shot past Manuel Neuer to silence the 75,000-strong crowd.
The lead lasted just five minutes as Poland’s Lewandowski curled his shot past the reach of Ingolstadt’s goalkeeper Orjan Nyland for his 11th goal of the season for club and country. Ingolstadt finished the half stronger, but Bayern were not to be denied a sixth straight win this season.
