Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern vs. Heidenheim; Bayern interested in Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri?; and MORE!

Die Folgen: Bayern’s nerve racking 5-4 win over Heidenheim (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich somehow, someway survived a roller coaster ride of a DFB-Pokal match against Heidenheim. Here are some quick hitters on the game:

• Just a few days after many were ready to offload him for a bag of balls, Robert Lewandowski went full Storm Tank and became the force that Bayern needed. Lewandowski was excellent when he came on to start the second half and made an immediate impact for a squad that was in desperate need of a boost.
• Thomas Müller was good yesterday in the first half, but he was even better once Lewandowski came in. Müller working behind Lewandowski is Bayern’s wining formula, but Niko Kovac has been hesitant of late to pull the trigger and use that lineup.
• Leon Goretzka was a menace and is proving more and more why he is the future of the Bayern midfield.
• Despite not etching his name on the score sheet, Kingsley Coman’s performance was very good. When paired with Serge Gnabry (who was snakebitten at times in the box, but very good overall) and as the squad lined up in a “back three” formation, the tracking back of Coman and Gnabry was integral to securing the victory.
• The defensive corps was brutal. All of them. From Niklas Süle’s unnecessary red card at the 13-minute mark to Mats Hummels allowing himself to be beaten inside the box on a play that resulted in a penalty kick — it was really bad. Sadly, Jerome Boateng, Joshua Kimmich, and Rafinha were not any better. Rafinha has typically been a very solid substitute, but that was one of his worst performances in years.
• It was not the best game for Sven Ulreich, but his save in the 81st minute was vital.
• This was tremendous:

If you missed our Match Awards or Observations, give them a look:

Bayern interested in Rodri? (Football Espana)

Reports out of Spain indicate that Bayern could be among the teams competing to bring in Atletico’s Rodri, a 22-year-old midfielder.

A quartet of leading European clubs want to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri and are prepared to meet his €70m release clause, say reports. The 22-year-old only joined Atleti from Villarreal in a deal worth an initial €20m plus a further €5m in add-ons, but now has been linked with a move away. Marca cite a fresh report in Onda Cero that Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Manchester City are all keen on his signature.

Vidal might be on the move again (Transfer Market Web)

Former Bayern midfielder Arturo Vidal has had an up-and-down season with FC Barcelona and could be on the move again. Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Napoli are allegedly ready to pounce on the opportunity to bring in the Chilean international, but Boca Juniors and Wolverhampton are also lurking about.

Previously linked to a move back to Italy, with Inter Milan, AC Milan and Napoli reportedly interested, Chilean international midfielder Arturo Vidal (31), playing for Barcelona FC since last summer, has been targeted by Boca Juniors, according to Fox Sports. A market dream for Wolverhampton too, former Juventus and Bayern Munich star is currently on a deal with Barcelona, which might decide to offload him and his rich wages, under contract until June 2021.

Get hyped up for Der Klassiker (@FOXSoccer)

Here are Bayern’s top 10 goals against Borussia Dortmund per @FOXSoccer.

Kimmich analyzed (You Tube - Bundesliga)

While yesterday was not exactly a banner game for Kimmich, the Bundesliga produced this pretty cool video detailing how the 24-year-old has been so effective in generating offense.

Bayern still scoping Under? (Transfer Market Web)

Could Bayern still be taking a look at AS Roma winger Cengiz Under? We have not heard his name in a while, but reports out of Italy indicate that Bayern could still be keeping an eye on the 21-year-old.

According to Il Romanista, AS Roma acting director of football, Frederic Massara, was recently in talks with Fali Ramadani, agent of Turkish international winger Cengiz Under (21), discussing the player’s future, whether with the Giallorossi or away from them. Currently on a deal with Italian club until June 2022, the player born in 1997 is being monitored by Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, and Chelsea.

ICYMI: Reactions from the game (Bavarian Football Works)

I mean...there was no way a quote, “We have to clench our butts!” was not somehow getting crammed into the Schmankerl.

(Phrasing!)

Hoffmann turns 20 (@FCBayernEN)

Bayern goalkeeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann turns 20 today.