clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Hoffenheim 0-6 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

An amazing performance is marred by protests by Bayern’s ultras.

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Bavaria Munich - 1899 Hoffenheim Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images

Intital observations and reactions

  • Bayern were relentless on both sides of the ball. With six goals in the back of the net and a shutout on defense, Bayern showed that they mean business. It was a brilliant response to a 3-0 Champions League victory in midweek. This was a clear signal to the Bundesliga and to Europe that Bayern Munich is here to win it all this year.
  • Bayern rallied around Philippe Coutinho. Criticism of Coutinho has come from far and wide this season. With his future at Bayern being uncertain, Coutinho could see today’s start was a chance to prove his worth. Before he scored, you could see the Bayern players comforting Coutinho and urging him to continue and to keep going. Finally, he was able to put one in the back of the net before half and another one after the half. He also added an assist. Whatever happens with Coutinho, it is good to see the Bayern players backing their teammate.
  • A great game ended very strangely. After the game was halted multiple times due to fan protests, the referee pulled all the players off the field for fifteen minutes. When play resumed, the players simply passed the ball to each other for the rest of the time. Whatever your thoughts are on the matter, it is a shame that these protests will overshadow the brilliant display of soccer on the field. This will go down as one of the strangest endings of all time.

Full time: Bayern win 6-0. Who knows if the result will stand.


85’ — 5 mins left to play, and the scenes are bizarre. Players are having a keepy-uppy competition.


79’ — The game is dead, both teams are just passing the ball around. After all this drama, nothings’s gonna happen for the last 15 mins.


Restart — The game will continue from the 77th minute, if the Bayern fans unfurl the banner again, the game will be annulled.


83’ — Play still stopped, no clue if it will continue again.


77’ — The referee takes both teams off due to the protests. Hasan Salihamidzic and Hansi Flick goes to speak to the Bayerns fans.


63’ — Bayern sub. Lucas Hernandez comes on for Alphonso Davies


62’— GOAL! Bayern! Leon Goretzka assisted by Tolisso!


56’ — Bayern sub. Thomas Muller makes way for Leon Goretzka.


47’ — GOAL! Bayern Coutinho assisted by Muller!


46’— Corentin Tolisso comes on for Boateng as the second half is underway after a brief delay.


Halftime Observations

  • Bayern were well-prepared for this game. Without Lewandowski in the lineup, other players needed to step up and fill his role. They have done that so far. Four goals in the first half, without the world’s hottest striker is super impressive.
  • Hoffenheim has not done anything with the ball. Bayern has been able to squash almost every chance that Hoffenheim gets. We have seen little need for Neuer so far. Most possessions have ended before midfield. Bayern is hot on both sides of the ball

Halftime! Bayern lead 4-0


33’ — GOAL! Bayern! Coutinho finally finds the back of the net again!


14’ — GOAL! Bayern! Zirkzee assisted by Kimmich!


7’ — GOAL! Bayern! Kimmich assisted by Thomas Muller!


3’ — GOAL! Bayern! Serge Gnabry assisted by Thomas Muller!


Kickoff: We’re underway!


One hour until kickoff: We have lineups!


Matchday! Following their win over Chelsea in midweek, Bayern Munich have the task of keeping the 2020 unbeaten run going with a game against Hoffenheim. Hansi Flick has already beaten his opponents once this season, but that game was at home, with a healthy Robert Lewandowski in the lineup. This time, things aren’t going to be that easy.

In addition to Lewandowski, Bayern are missing both Kingsley Coman and Ivan Perisic. This puts tremendous strain on the Bavarians’ attacking abilities, and Flick confirmed in his press conference that Philippe Coutinho would return to the lineup as a result. There are whispers that this is the Brazilian’s last chance to impress — in the absence of Bayern’s primary scorer, Thomas Muller or Serge Gnabry will need to go up into the striker’s spot, leaving Coutinho to fill one of their roles. Let’s hope he can rise to the occasion.

It’s Bayern time.


Match Info

Location: Rhein-Neckar Arena, Sinsheim, Germany

Time: 3:30 pm local time, 9:30 am EST

TV/streaming: Fubo.tv, Find Your Country

Tips for commenting:

  1. If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself. We’re mostly very friendly! Also, we’re from all parts of the world so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog.
  2. SBN is a little slow to show new comments. Refresh the page regularly to keep up with the discussion, especially after goals.
  3. The goal celebrations are for everyone to participate in! Even if you’re lagging behind the others, keep replying to the most recent call of the player’s name. Even if you missed the first call, just start from the second, and so on.
  4. While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language is not allowed whatsoever.

Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!

Looking for an unending well of Bayern Munich content? Sign up for an SBNation account and join the conversation on Bavarian Football Works. Whether it’s full match coverage and analysis, breaking news or something completely different, we have it all.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Bavarian Football Works Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of Bayern Munich news from Bavarian Football Works