Bayern Munich vs. Ingolstadt: Score, Reaction from 2015 Bundesliga Match

Bayern Munich beat newly promoted Ingolstadt 2-0 in a Bavarian derby at the Allianz Arena on Saturday. Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Philipp Lahm helped extend Bayern's lead at the top of the Bundesliga in their final home league game before the winter break.

It was the perfect way to rebound from losing at home to Borussia Monchengladbach in their last league outing.

The challenge last season's second-division champions posed was how to break down a miserly defence that had been breached just 15 times before today, per Sky Sports. It proved difficult, but Lewandowski took care of that.

After resting many of his big guns midweek in the UEFA Champions League, Bayern boss Pep Guardiola reintroduced key figures, such as midfield engine Arturo Vidal and exciting youngster Kingsley Coman.

Bayern's official Twitter feed detailed the Munich starting XI:

The Bundesliga's official Twitter account provided the Ingolstadt lineup:

History was against the top-flight new boys at the home of the reigning titleholders, according to OptaFranz:

The visitors were typically stingy at the back during the early exchanges. Space in the attacking third was in short supply, as this snap of the game reveals:

A clearance off the line denied Lewandowski the opener in the 25th minute, and skipper Romain Bregerie was the hero for Ingolstadt.

The French centre-back led a defence that kept Bayern's scoring chances to a minimum, something emphasised by this stat from the league's official site:

OptaFranz underlined the away side's defensive resolve during the first half-hour:

But the visitors also managed to pose their own attacking threat. Winger Marvin Matip missed a good chance in the late stages of the opening half.

It was far from the only chance Ingolstadt created. The visiting team kept Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer busy:

The gifted stopper made a superb save seconds after Lahm made a last-ditch block as the first half drew to a close.

Hoping for more assurance on the ball, Guardiola introduced Thiago for Vidal after the break. But it was still the away team on the front foot when play resumed.

Neuer was forced into another tidy stop to keep the score goalless.

It took Bayern until the 65th minute to go into the lead. Jerome Boateng smartly set up Lewandowski to sweep home the opener.

The goal put Lewandowski alongside two club legends, per OptaFranz:

He also moved closer to a pair of prolific foreign imports in the annals of Germany's top flight:

Xabi Alonso then came on for Boateng, giving Bayern another pass-master in the middle. But it was Thomas Muller who was the provider as Lahm netted Munich's second.

In typical fashion, Lahm calmly and suavely passed the ball into the net:

"

Cool finish from @philipplahm, quality assist by @esmuellert_! #FCBFCI 2-0 pic.twitter.com/4TzIwiOMGO

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) December 12, 2015"

Guardiola then swapped out Muller for holding midfielder Sebastian Rode as the home team expertly closed the game out.

Post-Match Reaction

After the game, Bayern were full of praise for their stubborn vanquished visitors. Guardiola had especially high praise, per Munich's official site: “A huge compliment to my team, but also to Ralph [Hasenhüttl] and Ingolstadt for the bold display. Today we encountered the best team we've been up against so far this season."

Guardiola also pinpointed Thiago's introduction as the key moment in the game: "We've had problems with our build-up play for a long time, but at some point it improved, in part because of Thiago. In the end our quality prevailed.”

Lahm also praised Ingolstadt's committed display:

Guardiola's opposite number, Ralph Hasenhuttl, felt his team managed to emerge from defeat with an enhanced reputation, according to Bayern's official site:

"

We did everything right and executed everything we had planned until the first goal. We played very boldly and always attacked. We succeeded at causing problems for our opponents. My team turned in a fantastic display. I think we've earned ourselves some respect today.

"

Bayern made hard work of it, but they are finishing 2015 as the best team in the Bundesliga and are unopposed as champions elect.