Bayern Munich have started the defence of their Bundesliga crown with a comfortable victory over Hamburger SV.

Goals from Mehdi Benatia, Robert Lewandowski, Douglas Costa and a brace from Thomas Muller were enough to see the Bavarians to their first three points of the season at the Allianz Arena.

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Hamburg started the game brightly and came close to taking a shock lead when Lewis Holtby latched on to Svan Schipplock's pass before unleashing a volley, which was straight at Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer.

On eight minutes, the home side forged their first clear opening when a deft ball over the top from David Alaba reached Arjen Robben only for the winger to smash his shot wide of Rene Adler's goal.

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Bayern wasted another opportunity when Lewandowski headed over as Philipp Lahm produced a dangerous cross from out wide.

The Bavarians made their breakthrough before the half-hour mark as Xabi Alonso's free kick into the box found Mehdi Benatia in space at the back post and the defender headed beyond the reach of Adler.

Muller could have put Bayern further in front before the break as he pulled his shot wide after Alaba found him with a cross from the left-hand side.

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However, Pep Guardiola's men put daylight between themselves and the visitors as Alonso turned creator again for Lewandowski to slot home.

Bayern, who fielded Arturo Vidal on his debut since joining from Juventus, added a third on 69 minutes as Costa's tantalising cross allowed Muller to head past a helpless Adler.

Adler was beaten again four minutes later when Muller rounded the Hamburg keeper and stroked the ball into an empty net after a slide-rule pass from Lewandowski in the build-up.

Costa rounded off the evening with a fifth goal as his shot in the dying stages curled inside Adler's post.