Berlin: Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer conceded Bayern Munich struggled for inspiration before Robert Lewandowski struck twice late on in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Werder Bremen.
Bremen have not beaten Bayern for more than a decade but were holding the defending Bundesliga champions until Lewandowski’s quick-fire double gave the visitors the three points.
After Bayern’s defence wobbled in their 3-1 opening win over Bayer Leverkusen, Munich were again labouring in Bremen before Lewandowski came to the rescue.
“In the first half, we were missing a few ideas, but after the break, Werder got tired, we played better and took advantage of our chances,” said Neuer, who made his return from a broken foot that had sidelined him since April.
“We made life hard for ourselves for a long time and if Bremen had done better they would have had some chances, but we defended well.”
Bremen defended bravely but offered little in attack as Bayern enjoyed 19 shots on goal to the hosts’ four with Munich playmaker Thiago Alcantara also making his first start of the season following injury.
Neuer has not been selected for Germany’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Norway following his injury, but the 31-year-old was glad to be back in the Bayern shirt.
“I am just happy to be back on the pitch and that we won the game, it’s nice to be able to run out again,” he said.
Lewandowski, who now has three goals in two league games, showed his lethal finishing with two superb touches to resume his battle with last year’s leading scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund.
The Poland hot-shot audaciously flicked Kingsley Coman’s low cross into the net with his heel before doubling the damage by firing through the legs of defender Robert Bauer and Bremen goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka on 75 minutes.
“He is certainly the best striker in the Bundesliga and one of the best in the world,” enthused Bayern director of sport Hasan Salihamidzic.
“He is simply our little firecracker.”
Bayern are at Hoffenheim on September 9 in the first league match after the international break before hosting Anderlecht three days later in their opening Champions League group stage match.
