Bayern Munich started the defence of their Bundesliga title in style thanks to a 5-0 triumph over Hamburger SV at the Allianz Arena.
The champions were rarely troubled after Mehdi Benatia opened the scoring in the 27th minute, and Hamburg were powerless to prevent the hosts from pulling away after the break.
Robert Lewandowski doubled the lead early in the second half, before Thomas Muller's brace and a superb strike from Douglas Costa ensured that it was a dominant start to the campaign for Pep Guardiola's side.
Read below to find out how the action unfolded.
Good evening everyone! The wait for football to return is over and it's the Bundesliga's turn to get underway tonight as Bayern Munich host Hamburger SV at the Allianz Arena. Pep Guardiola heads into the season looking to deliver the club's fourth successive title, while Hamburg are just bidding to put the previous campaign's nightmare behind them.
Bayern aren't just firm favourites tonight, but they'll be fully expected to win the title comfortably once again. Guardiola, who is in the final season of his contract, is likely to be judged on his side's performances in the Champions League, but after Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg took huge steps forward and with Borussia Dortmund desperate to return to their best, the Spaniard will be wary of complacency.
With just a few moments remaining in the second leg of their relegation playoff against Karlsruher SC on June 1, Hamburg's supporters must have been preparing to bid farewell to the top flight of German football. However, Marcelo Diaz struck in stoppage time before Nicolai Muller clinched a 3-2 aggregate victory in stoppage time to keep them in the league. The pressure will be on Bruno Labbadia to keep his side out of trouble this season.
BAYERN: Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Benatia, Alaba, Alonso, Robben, Vidal, Muller, Costa, Lewandowski
SUBS: Ulreich, Thiago, Kimmich, Gotze, Bernat, Rafinha, Hojbjerg
SUBS: Ulreich, Thiago, Kimmich, Gotze, Bernat, Rafinha, Hojbjerg
Arjen Robben starts a Bundesliga game for the first time since March after injury ended his season prematurely. Summer signings Douglas Costa and Arturo Vidal are also included, but Mario Gotze is forced to settle for a spot on the bench as Thomas Muller provides support for Robert Lewandowski. It looks like Philipp Lahm will start at right-back, but don't be surprised if Guardiola moves his skipper around tonight.
HAMBURG: Adler, Diekmeier, Djourou, Spahic, Ostrzolek, Ekdal, Jung, Holtby, Gregoritsch, Schipplock, Ilicevic
SUBS: Muller, Lasogga, Diaz, Kacar, Olic, Hirzel, Sakai
SUBS: Muller, Lasogga, Diaz, Kacar, Olic, Hirzel, Sakai
Hamburg's lucky escape last season forced them to be active in the transfer market, and their new-look side includes debutants Sven Schipplock, Gideon Jung, Michael Gregoritsch, Albin Ekdal and Emi Spahic. Forwards Ivica Olic and Pierre-Michel Lasogga start on the bench.
It was nothing short of an embarrassment for Hamburg when Bayern cruised to an 8-0 triumph when the two sides met back in February. Some are tipping Bayern to record another emphatic win this evening, but Jerome Boateng claims that complacency is not an issue.
"It is dangerous, they have nothing to lose," he told reporters in the pre-match press conference. "But if we are aggressive and focused I won't worry. We won't underestimate Hamburg, however, or make them smaller than they are
PREDICTION: It might not be quite as easy as it was for Bayern in February, but it's difficult to expect anything other than a victory for the hosts tonight. Hamburg look a better unit than they were last season and they'll be keen to keep it tight early on. I think it will be tough for the visiting defence. 3-0 to Bayern.
Here we go then. The players are out on the pitch at the Allianz Arena and the start of the new Bundesliga season is just a few moments away.
KICKOFF! Ilicevic and Schipplock get the game underway for the visitors, but it's not long before Bayern are in possession. It could be a long evening for Hamburg.
Lahm played in about seven different positions in pre-season, but he's certainly on the right side of the defence at the start of this match. Xabi Alonso is sitting just in front of the defence with the perfect view of Bayern's attacking stars.
CHANCE! The first opportunity of the game falls to Hamburg. Lewis Holtby does brilliantly to win the ball in midfield before finding Schipplock, who holds up play well before teeing up the former Spurs ace for a volley which is fired straight at Manuel Neuer. It's a comfortable save.
Labbadia will be pretty happy with what he's seen so far. Hamburg are competing very impressively in midfield to ensure Bayern have been unable to dictate the tempo. They have certainly made it clear that they do not want to give Alonso time on the ball.
CHANCE! It's a almost a fantastic opener for Bayern. David Alaba delivers a superb chipped ball over the Hamburg defence and Robben times his run to perfection, but his header on the run drifts just wide.
Hamburg are starting to feel the pressure now. Costa's cross is just too strong for the sliding Lewandowski, but Bayern keep the move alive and Spahic is forced to make a block from Lahm's effort.
YELLOW CARD! Bayern are beginning to see more of the ball, with much of their play coming on the left as Alaba and Costa continue to link up on a regular basis. A sloppy pass from Mehdi Benatia almost lets Schipplock through, but Alonso pulls down the striker on the halfway line to pick up the first booking.
Bayern's supporters are loud, but it's fair to say that they've sounded a bit disappointed early on after witnessing a couple of promising attacks break down. Guardiola is on the touchline shouting orders with a typically stylish suit on. Win, lose or draw, he always pulls off that look in the dugout!
Better from Bayer as Alonso switches the play to Costa, whose cross from the left is cleared behind for a corner. Lewandowski rises highest, but he struggles to make the right contact with the header.
YELLOW CARD! Boateng becomes the second Bayern player to receive a caution when he hesitates in possession to invite pressure from the lively Schipplock, who is pulled down once again. Poor from the Bayern defender.
Muller looks at the officials after going down while attempting to connect with Vidal's lofted ball forward. Replays prove it was good defending from Spahic.
CHANCE! Move of the match from Bayern. Robben and Muller are involved as the hosts create space for Lahm, whose cross is headed just over by Lewandowski. Guardiola will be happier with the pace of that piece of play.
Robben is just starting to see more of the ball, which is bad news for Hamburg. The Dutchman links up impressively with Lahm, but Johan Djourou steps in to clear the danger at the front post.
YELLOW CARD! Costa offers a sign of what Bayern fans will be seeing this season as he runs quickly at the Hamburg defence, before being chopped down by Dennis Diekmeier, who is shown a yellow card.
GOAL! BAYERN 1-0 HAMBURG (BENATIA)
Benatia scores the first goal of the new season from the free kick won by Costa. Alonso delivers the perfect cross to the back post and Benatia finds enough space to head past a helpless Rene Adler. Hamburg really could not afford to fall behind tonight.
Benatia catches Schipplock with his arm while attempting to shield the ball from the Hamburg forward, but it does not look like there was much intent there. Schipplock should be fine to continue.
CHANCE! Bayern are starting to dominate proceedings now as Alaba charges down the left to deliver a cross which Muller fires just wide of the post from the penalty spot.
It's nearly fantastic from Bayern as they step up the tempo and create space when Robben's clever flick finds Muller, whose heavy touch in the box allows Spahic to clear.
Alaba has shown in the past that he fancies his chance from distance, and his 35-yard strike is too hot to handle as Adler concedes a corner. Gregoritsch isn't far away from slicing a clearance into his own net, before Benatia heads the second corner well wide.
YELLOW CARD! Spahic has been pretty good on his debut so far, but a foolish challenge through the back of Lewandowski earns him a booking. Alonso delivers another free kick which is cleared behind for a corner. Bayern are pushing for a second goal before the break.
It's certainly not been perfect from Bayern in the first half. A couple of times they have been sloppy in possession, and if Hamburg can get the ball to Holtby more often, the visitors might be able to create more opportunities as the match progresses.
Guardiola's side continue to keep possession with apparent ease, but Guardiola may want to see more running off the ball. Vidal, in particular, can be a big threat if he goes past Lewandowski on a regular basis. The referee is forced to step in as the players clash after Djourou brings down Bayern's Polish striker.
Bayern are asking all of the questions late in the first half as Hamburg look to stay in touch heading into the break. Vidal's influence is growing, and he's involved at the start of a move which ends with Alaba firing an effort over from the edge of the box.
HALF TIME: BAYERN 1-0 HAMBURG
It's been a typically dominant display from the champions in the opening 45 minutes of the new season. Despite not always being at their best in possession, Bayern have certainly been the better side and Benatia has given them the advantage at the halfway stage. Hamburg have defended admirably, but they'll have to take more risks later in the game.
BENCH WATCH: I mentioned that Guardiola may want to see players go past Lewandowski more regularly in the second half and in Thiago Alcantara they certainly have a midfielder on the bench who can bring something different to the game. Labbadia is unlikely to be thinking about changing much yet, but Lasogga must surely be an option. His ability to hold the ball up could be vital for the visitors.
Hamburg have not beaten Bayern in any of the previous 13 competitive fixtures between the two sides. During that stretch of games, Bayern have recorded two 5-0 wins, a 6-0 victory, an 8-0 triumph and they also cruised to a 9-2 win back in March 2013. You'll forgive the Hamburg fans for feeling nervous at the Allianz Arena.
KICKOFF! Bayern get the game back underway, but it's Hamburg who make a bright start as Diekmeier comes forward before sending a speculative effort over from 25 yards.
Boateng receives a round of applause for a brilliant interception when Holtby looks to release Schipplock, who has impressed despite not being given much service tonight.
Ouch. The always controversial Spahic, who was sacked by Leverkusen for clashing with a steward last season, lunges into a challenge and catches Lewandowski on the ankle. He's fortunate not to pick up a second booking.
SAVE! Alaba takes the free kick on the edge of the box and he's close to doubling the lead as Adler flies across the line to punch the ball to safety. It's a routine save.
GOAL! BAYERN 2-0 HAMBURG (LEWANDOWSKI)
It could already be all over at the Allianz Arena. Alonso creates another goal as his chipped pass to the back post causes problems for Ostrzolek, who can only head the ball into the path of Lewandowski and the Polish striker makes no mistake with a powerful low finish.
Alonso has controlled the game from midfield and he almost produces a moment of magic as he unleashes an effort from the halfway line. Luckily for Adler, the ball drifts just over the crossbar.
SUB! Guardiola makes his first change of the match as Alonso comes off to be replaced by Rafinha. The Brazilian will move to right-back and Lahm will take over from Alonso in midfield.
Lewandowski does brilliantly to create space in the box, but his low cross slips away from Muller at the front post. It looks like Muller has been asked to play slightly closer to his fellow forward in the second half.
SUB! It's Labbadia's turn to make a change as the ineffective Ekdal comes off to be replaced by Olic, who looks set to play out wide rather than in attack.
Hamburg are just starting to see more of the ball in the last few minutes. You certainly can't accuse them of throwing the towel in tonight, but they're really struggling to cause problems for the hosts.
SAVE! It's frantic in the Hamburg box as Rafinha's powerful strike is kept out by Adler, before Ostrzolek survives appeals for a handball. The ball drops to Costa a few moments later, but he can only slice an effort over.
SUB! Mario Gotze, whose future has been the subject of speculation this summer, comes off the bench to replace Robben.
GOAL! BAYERN 3-0 HAMBURG (MULLER)
Superb all over the pitch from the champions. Boateng wins back possession with a fantastic challenge on Ilicevic. Gotze picks up the loose ball before switching play to find Costa, who delivers an inch-perfect cross with the outside of his boot to allow Muller to power home a header.
CLOSE! Hamburg almost pull a goal back in spectacular fashion as Gregoritsch uses the space on offer to send a powerful strike just over from 30 yards. Hamburg make two more changes as Lasogga and Diaz come on for Schipplock and Ilicevic.
CHANCE! Bayern probably should be 4-0 up. A long spell of pressure ends with a loose ball falling to Vidal, who can only power an effort wide from just inside the box. Thiago then replaces Lahm.
GOAL! BAYERN 4-0 HAMBURG (MULLER)
I'm almost certain Bayern fans laugh off any suggestions that Muller could be leaving the club in the near future. He's just too important to Guardiola's side to be let go. Lewandowski plays the perfect through ball to release his strike partner and the World Cup winner takes the ball past Adler before tapping in his second of the night.
SAVE! Alaba has shown what Bayern were missing when he was on the sidelines late last season. He has been excellent this evening and the Austria international comes close to scoring again as Adler tips a shot over the bar.
Muller and Lewandowski link up once again as the German forward's flick releases his strike partner, but the offside flag halts Bayern's progress. I feel for any defence that has to deal with those two.
Bayern are dominating all over the pitch in the closing stages and there certainly could be more goals for the hosts before the final whistle is blown tonight. Hamburg are looking increasingly tired at the back.
CLOSE! Costa is such an exciting player to watch, and he comes agonisingly close to a stunning goal when he cuts inside to curl a shot just over the crossbar. I'm not sure Adler was getting there had it dipped a bit more.
Hamburg finally relieve some pressure with an extended spell in possession. Holtby delivers a brilliant cross to the back post from a free kick, but Spahic can't climb high enough to make contact.
GOAL! BAYERN 5-0 HAMBURG (COSTA)
Superb. There's no other word for it. Costa caps a fine Bundesliga debut in style as Ostrzolek loses the ball while trying to win a free kick under pressure. The ball falls to the Brazilian, who piles on more misery by cutting inside to curl past Adler from the edge of the box.
It's exhibition football at the Allianz Arena as Costa earns a few more cheers of appreciation when he leaves a couple of Hamburg defenders with a fantastic piece of skill on the wing. Boateng attempts the spectacular a few moments later when his long-range strike sails wide of the target.
FULL TIME: BAYERN 5-0 HAMBURG
The referee decides there's no need for stoppage time as Bayern's emphatic victory is confirmed. It's another thrashing at the hands of the champions for Hamburg, who were never really in the game this evening. Bayern just kept getting better as the evening progressed. Costa, Lewandowski and Muller were all superb. Can anyone stop them this season?
That is all from our live coverage on the opening day of the Bundesliga campaign. Thanks for joining me this evening. Goodnight everyone!
