A fast start has helped Bayern Munich earn a 2-0 lead over Hannover at the halfway stage of their meeting at the Allianz Arena.

It took the champions less than six minutes to break the deadlock, and the opening goal came from Rafinha's chipped pass to Robert Lewandowski, who took advantage to fire home.

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Arjen Robben doubled the lead in the 13th minute by cutting in from the right wing, before picking out the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Bayern came agonisingly close to making it 3-0 in spectacular fashion, but Ron-Robert Zieler managed to get back to his goal in time to flick over an effort unleashed by Xabi Alonso from inside his own half of the pitch.

Robben threatened to score his second before the break when another solo run resulted in Zieler getting a strong hand on the Dutch winger's low strike.

The third goal eventually arrived with six minutes remaining in the first half as Lewandowski brought down a long ball from Zherdan Shaqiri, before calmly slotting past Zieler.