Bayern Munich 4-3 Hoffenheim: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• The last 10 mins + stoppage time were a complete mess from Bayern. The team showed zero composure, couldn’t keep the ball, and turned an easy 4-1 win into a narrow 4-3. If not for Hoffenheim missing sitters, this game could’ve easily gone the other way.
• Thomas Muller finally got to start in his preferred position, and had a hand in three of Bayern’s 4 goals. Surely Flick won’t move him back to the wing against Leipzig?
• Alphonso Davies had another excellent display in both attack and defense. We were a bit worried after his lethargic performance vs. Mainz, but it looks like he was just saving energy.
• Philippe Coutinho is like two players in one. One is a talented, quick thinking AM with an eye for a key pass, and the other is an Arjen Robben-wannabe who can’t shoot to save his life. We prefer it when we see the former and not the latter.
• Jerome Boateng seemed to be nursing a knock when he was subbed off — not a good sign with Leipzig on the horizon.

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FT! Bayern beat Hoffenheim 4:3 and proceed to the next round.

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92’ — Late match drama! Dabbur scores after Pavard (again) defended horribly...

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83’ — In the meantime Flick made three substitutions. Lewandowski, Muller and Boateng out, and Zirkzee, Odriozola and Cuisance in.

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82’ — Hoffenheim score after some sloppy defending from Pavard.

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80’ — Goal for Lewandowski! He scores the brace and puts the game to bed.

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72’ — Goal for Hoffenheim, but it is ruled out because of a hand-ball

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64’ — A few good chances from both sides after the second half started. Bayern slowed down the tempo and aren’t that aggressive. They seem to be conserving energy for the next weekend’s clash with RB Leipzig.

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55’ — Pavard receives a yellow for a mindless tackle in Bayern’s penalty box. Luckily for Bayern, it was previously ruled offside, so the Bavarians escaped a penalty.

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45’ — Second half kicks off!

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Halftime observations:

• Bayern are playing on the next level. It isn’t something new, but still it’s worth mentioning. They are playing with ease and create dozen of chances. Super interesting to watch them play.
• Boateng has been steadily improving in the Rückrunde. It has also been noted before, but the dude deserves credit for his improvement. Although he did score an own goal today, it was just bad luck. He made a crazy ninja tackle to stop Hoffenheim’s attack — crazy good
• Davies is on fire! Today he simply dominates on the left flank. He put an stop to a lot of attack. It will be interesting to see will he remain in the first 11 after all of the defenders get fit again.
• Müller is rejuvenated. He did play amazing on the wing in the past couple of games, but when he’s in the center, he just plays on another level. He scored two goals and had one assist so far. Simply amazing.

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Halftime! The first 45 minutes are over and the break is on.

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36’ — Goal! Robert Lewandowski scores third goal for Bayern. Assist by Muller.

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25’ — Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper now with a few world-class saves. A couple of minutes ago he saved Lewandowski’s shot by just a few meters, and after that, he denied Gnabry’s shot on two separate occasions.

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20’ — Goal for Bayern. Thomas Muller scores his second goal. Great ball from Alaba

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13’ — Goal for Bayern! Thomas Muller scores after Davies’ cross.

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8’ — Goal for Hoffenheim after a heavy deflection from Boateng. It counts as an own goal for Jerome

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5’ — Goal for Bayern ruled out after VAR stepped in.

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Kickoff: We are underway in Munich!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Hansi has thrown everyone a curve-ball. Thiago has been rested, while Philippe Coutinho starts on the wing. Thomas Muller finally returns to the middle. Corentin Tolisso returns to the lineup.

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It’s Pokal time! Bayern Munich return to action in the DFB Pokal this month, and this time the opponents will be a formidable Hoffenheim side. Bayern already lost to them once in the Hinrunde, and Hansi Flick has the challenging task of orchestrating a victory without burning out his key players.

The job is made even harder by the sudden injury to Ivan Perisic, who injured his ankle due to a tackle from Alvaro Odriozola in training. With the Croatian out, the coach will be forced to abandon his winning lineup for something new. The question of who will play on the left wing is the biggest conundrum. Serge Gnabry is allegedly 100% fit, but he has not started a game since the turn of the year. Meanwhile Philippe Coutinho has experience playing on the wing, but it’s far from his best position.

All is not doom and gloom, however. Robert Lewandowski is in imperious scoring form as always, and Thomas Muller and Thiago Alcantara have been chipping in as well lately. Leon Goretzka is on a hot streak of form, and he was subbed off early against Mainz presumably to keep him fresh for tonight’s game. With the options at his disposal, Hansi Flick should still be able to beat Hoffenheim — it’s just a question of how tough the game will be.

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Time: 8:45 pm local time, 2:45 pm EST

TV/streaming: YouTube, Fubo.tv, Find Your Country

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