Douglas Costa dominates as Bayern thumps Stuttgart, remains unbeaten
A flurry of first-half goals was all Bayern Munich needed to dispose of VfB Stuttgart 4-0 on Saturday, and remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga.
The Bavarians, coming off a 5-1 thumping of Arsenal on Wednesday, put the match out of reach inside the opening 20 minutes when Douglas Costa and Arjen Robben combined to wreak havoc on the Stuttgart defenders.
Costa's blistering run up the right flank ignited a Bayern counter-attack that saw the hosts overwhelm defenders in the Stuttgart box. The Brazilian put a low cross into the middle for Robben, who converted with his stomach.
Related - VIDEO: Bayern's clinical counter-attack leads to opening goal vs. Stuttgart
13 - @douglascosta had a hand in 13 @FCBayernEN goals this season in all competitions (4 goals, 9 assists). Top. #FCBVFB
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) November 7, 2015
Costa doubled the lead less than 10 minutes later, before Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski scored to cap off a dominant half.
Manuel Neuer: Completed more passes (12) in the first half of #FCBVfB than any VfB Stuttgart player managed
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 7, 2015
The hosts didn't require any additional insurance in a scoreless second half.
Bayern continues to lead the Bundesliga with 34 points through 12 matches, and holds an eight-point advantage on Borussia Dortmund, who play FC Schalke 04 on Sunday.
HEADLINES
- Relegation-threatened Bochum grab vital win over leaky Hoffenheim
- 5 surprise teams closing in on Champions League berths
- Hoeness: Germany failing at Euros would be 'catastrophe' for Nagelsmann
- Euro leagues braced for big changes as lawsuit may open door to U.S. games
- Ekitike signs with Frankfurt from PSG on permanent deal