Bayern Munich’s Philippe Coutinho scored a hat trick and Robert Lewandowski added two more goals as the champions demolished Werder Bremen 6-1 on Saturday to impressively bounce back from two straight league defeats.
The Bavarians, missing several players through injury, climbed to fourth place on 27 points, four behind leaders Borussia Monchengladbach who visit Wolfsburg on Sunday.
Coutinho, who also helped set up two more goals, delivered at just the right time with Bayern, struggling to find their rhythm under interim coach Hansi Flick, at risk of losing touch with the top spots.
Brought in on loan from Barcelona this season, Coutinho scored his first Bundesliga treble with Bayern playing a dominant second half.
However, they fell behind in the 24th minute to a Milot Rashica goal after again missing golden chances, including by top scorer Lewandowski, as had been the case in recent weeks.
But their wastefulness was not punished this time as goals from Coutinho in the 45th minute, and Lewandowski in first-half stoppage time, turned the game for the hosts.
Coutinho then chipped a superb David Alaba pass over Bremen keeper Jiri Pavlenka for their third goal in the 63rd as Bayern completely bossed the game following the break.
Poland forward Lewandowski added a fifth after 72 minutes and Thomas Muller also scored before Coutinho rounded off a fine performance with another goal to complete his hat-trick.
