Bayern Munich vs. Hoffenheim, Bundesliga: Post-match awards and player ratings

After a disappointing 3-1 loss to FC Porto on Wednesyday, Bayern Munich needed this win. And they got it with a 38th minute goal from Sebastian Rode that was book ended by a stoppage time own goal from Andreas Beck.

Tip Of The Cap - Roberto Firmino: Roberto Firmino had a very quiet game for Hoffenheim on the offensive side of the ball and Gianluca Gaudino's defensive marking had a lot to do with that. However it was on the opposite side of the ball that Firmino excelled as he made himself a nuisance for the Bayern Munich transition game for most of the match.  Until Thiago came on about the 60th, and promptly removed his effect, Firmino was a thorn in the Bayern side and a key part of the Hoffenheim transition game.

Golf Clap - Manuel Neuer: Manuel Neuer didn't do a whole lot in this game as a whole, but he stepped up in several extremely key moments to make big saves for Bayern. Notably early in the match after a miscue from Dante say Modeste one-on-one with Neuer, the German international stood his ground and make a difficult foot save to keep the score 0-0.

Standing Ovation - Holger Badstuber: The Bayern centerback was a defensive rock and a big compoonent of Bayern's possession game, recycling play out of the back, feeding the ball into Sebastian Rode and out to Juan Bernat on the left wing. After Bernat went off injured at halftime, it was Badstuber who stepped in and performed competent double duty against a increasingly dangerous Hoffenheim attack that was targeting the left side.

Meister Of The Match - Sebastian Rode: This match was the Sebastian Rode show from start to finish. The 24-year-old was the engine behind the entire Bayern Munich attack and relentlessly pushed the team forward. Notching 104 touches in the match, he was tied with Holger Badstuber behind Rafinha for the second most on the team. He also notched the 4 shots, 3 key passes, 4 tackles, an interception, and most importantly the opening goal which was a stunning curler into the top corner. With Bayern so hampered by injury at the moment, it was a welcoming sign to see Rode take this game by the scruff of the neck and boss it from end to end.