Bayern continue perfect start under Flick with statement Düsseldorf win

Fortuna Düsseldorf 0-4 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 Kimmich (11'), 0-2 Tolisso (27'), 0-3 Gnabry (34'), 0-4 Coutinho (70')

Bayern had won their first two games under Flick by an aggregate score of 6-0, and there was no let-up in Düsseldorf. Lewandowski, who went into the contest having scored 16 times in the first 11 league outings of 2018/19, fired off the first warning shot, before a deflection took a Thomas Müller goalbound strike wide for a corner. Fortuna hadn't long cleared the initial set-piece, when Bayern won - and converted - their next. Müller played the ball short to Kimmich, whose fierce cross was missed by everyone and flew inside the far post for 1-0. A procession of chances followed as Lewandowski and Coutinho shot wide, before Tolisso stroked in Bayern's second, Müller having capitalised on Zack Steffen's errant forward pass. Gnabry struck the woodwork from close range following an exquisite run and outside-of-the-boot pass from Lewandowski, but made amends moments later. Pavard supplied the cross, Müller the assist and - following a VAR review - Gnabry's routine finish had Bayern all but home and hosed by half-time.

To their credit, Fortuna gave a decent account of themselves early in the second period, albeit without testing Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal. The defending champions still looked capable of scoring whenever they went forward, though, as Coutinho drove an effort wide with the aid of a deflection and a narrow offside decision prevented Gnabry from going clean through on Steffen's goal. Lewandowski poked a low Benjamin Pavard cross wide with an hour gone, before turning provider for Coutinho to crown a blistering counter from barely two yards out. Alfredo Morales thought he'd reduced the arrears for the stricken hosts, but the whistle had already sounded for offside by the time the USA international connected with his shot. Rouwen Hennings sent an effort over as Fortuna refused to lie down, but Bayern crossed the line with their record of not conceding in matches under Flick intact. Bundesliga leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach's defeat to Union Berlin means the record champions are now just one point off the summit.

• Lewandowski had scored in every game before Matchday 12 (16). Gerd Müller holds the record for most goals after 12 games, though, with 17.
• Bayern's top scorer registered his first Bundesliga assist of the season, but has never found the net against Fortuna.
• Tolisso scored his first Bundesliga goal since September 2018.
• One goal against Borussia Dortmund, three for Germany against Northern Ireland and one in Düsseldorf: Gnabry has scored five times in the space of 14 days.
• Bayern have scored in the opening 15 minutes of matches six times this season - a league-high shared with promoted Paderborn.
• Düsseldorf have not beaten Bayern in their last nine attempts since a 3-1 triumph in the DFB Cup second round back in September 1995.
• Coutinho scored his third Bundesliga goal.
• Kaan Ayhan made his 100th competitive appearance for Fortuna.

Watch: Benjamin Pavard on the Bayern players' "very good understanding" with Hansi Flick

Düsseldorf: Steffen - Zimmermann, Ayhan, Adams, Gießelmann - Fink (Suttner 66'), Bodzek, Morales, Thommy (Zimmer 87') - Kownacki (Sobottka 78'), Hennings (c)
Unused subs: Kastenmeier, Hoffmann, Ampomah, Bormuth, Baker, Tekpetey
Out: Contento (ankle), Karaman (pneumonia), Pledl (knee), Stöger (cruciate ligament)
Coach: Friedhelm Funkel

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Martinez, Alaba, Davies - Kimmich (Goretzka 76'), Tolisso (Thiago 71') - Gnabry (Perisic 63'), Müller, Coutinho - Lewandowski
Unused subs: Ulreich, Cuisance, Coman, Mai
Out: Arp (fractured wrist), Boateng (suspended), Hernandez (ankle), Süle (torn ACL)
Coach: Hansi Flick