Ze Roberto scored a rare goal for Bayern Friday as the defending champions opened the Bundesliga's 41st season with an easy 3-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt.
On a sweltering night Bayern led 3-0 at the half against the overmatched squad up from the second division, then coasted after the break in front of 63,000 spectators.
"We started very good and you really never know after the training," said Bayern midfielder Michael Ballack. "We're the favorites and we have to play that way."
PHOTO: AFP
Bayern is the overwhelming choice to claim an 18th Bundesliga crown. The rest of the league plays Saturday and Sunday, with Borussia Dortmund facing Schalke as the featured matchup.
Bayern, whose real aim is winning the Champions League, had Ze Roberto score in the 16th minute, Hasim Salihamidzic four minutes later and Claudio Pizarro in the 44th minute.
Ervin Skala scored Frankfurt's only goal on a beautiful 68th minute free kick, just eight minutes after a similar attempt cracked off the crossbar.
"We acted a little scared out there, but what can you expect -- they have classy players," Skala said.
The game marked the return of Salihamidzic from two operations for tore ligaments, while fellow midfielder Sebastian Deisler -- often called Germany's biggest talent -- played his first complete match since three knee operations.
The goal by Roberto, criticized for scoring just once all last year, revealed the inexperience of the Frankfurt defense.
On a Bayern throw-in, defender Andre Wiedener headed the ball into the path of the Brazilian international, who rifled the ball inside the right post.
The second Bayern score was a combination between two key players expected to help its Champions League effort after injuries.
A precise free kick from Deisler found Salihamidzic in a pack of players and the Bosnian's powerful header flew into the center of the net.
Deisler is being pressured by Bayern management to perform up to his talent and form a powerful midfield combination with Ballack.
"That motivates me -- the grace period is over. I had fun today. The season could continue just like this," Deisler said.
Three of his crosses nearly turned into goals after he was the surprise starter over Mehmet Scholl.
"He was thrown into cold water, but I want him to catch up -- he played a very good match," Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said.
After Salihamidzic's goal, Frankfurt was rattled. Neither player was challenged when Pizarro headed in Tobias Rau's cross just before the half to complete the Bayern scoring.
Frankfurt was a Bundesliga power as late as the early nineties, but since has developed into an "elevator team" -- riding up and down from the first division.
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