Hoffenheim 4-1 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Terrible game by Bayern, big issues for Flick to solve. Chief among them: how to deal with fatigue, and how to deal with high pressing teams.
• Seb Hoeness — another Nagelsmann? What a coach. His tactics were on point.
• Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich were probably the only players who played to their standard, and even they had some embarrassing moments. Bad look for Bayern.
• The board needs to make some signings. This team is being killed by fatigue and it’s only the second matchday of the season.
• Jamal Musiala was a bright spot among the subs, he made far more of an impact in his few minutes than Leroy Sane did all game. Could Hansi reward him with a start? He might not have a choice, given what we’ve just seen.

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Full time: Bayern get smashed. Not much more to say.

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90’+ 1 — Goal, Kramaric converts from the spot. Hoffenheim lead 4-1.

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76’ — Goal. Kramaric scores, Bayern are headed for their first defeat of 2020.

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73’ — Substitutions: Coman and Musiala on for Tolisso and Sane.

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56’ — Substitutions: Lewandowski and Goretzka come on for Zirkzee and Pavar73’ — d.

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45’ — The second half is underway!

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HT Reactions and Observations

• Bayern really miss Robert Lewandowski. Zirkzee is just not on the same level, and wasted the many crosses by Mueller and chances generated by the other teammates.
• Boateng has been unusually sloppy today. The midfield also misses the grit, physicality and workrate that Goretzka offers.
• The team looks slightly out of sync. Perhaps the players have become too fatigued by the tight schedule.
• Hoffenheim have done amazingly well to counter Bayern’s press. Kramaric has been instrumental in attack, constantly pressing the CBs and closing down passing lanes. You cannot say that the goals weren’t deserved.

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45’ — HT.

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35’ — GOAL FOR BAYERN! Joshua Kimmich accepts a pass from Mueller and scores a beautiful curler from distance. 2-1 now!

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24’ — GOAL! Hoffenheim go 2-0 up! Dabbur controls a through ball well before chipping it over Neuer with precision.

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16’ — GOAL, Hoffenheim go 1-0 up.

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1’ — Kickoff at the Rhein-Neckar Arena!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! The big news is that Leon Goretzka and Robert Lewandowski are rested!

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When Bayern Munich went into extra time against Sevilla on Thursday, Hoffenheim must’ve been licking their lips. Led by our former youth coach Sebastian Hoeness, the Sinheim-based side will look to sucker punch the Bavarians at their weakest. Hansi Flick has to come up with a plan to beat them. The problem is, can he pull it off with a tired squad?

All the key players in the team played a full 120 in the Super Cup. This means that Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Joshua Kimmich, and Benjamin Pavard — all players without suitable backups — will be coming into the game with a lot of fatigue already built up. If Bayern can score early and go a few goals up, then Hansi Flick has the option of making subs. But if not, things could get ugly, as the team has to play Borussia Dortmund in the DFL Supercup in midweek, followed by Hertha Berlin next Sunday.

There is some good news, though. Kingsley Coman has returned to the squad after completing his 14-day quarantine, and will be an option from the bench tomorrow. Plus, Lucas Hernandez looks to be settling in with the team after two consecutive starts. If he and Niklas Sule pair up in central defense, it would allow Alphonso Davies to start at left-back for the first time this season. Davies and Sane on the same flank? Yes please.

All in all, despite the fatigue and fixture congestion, Bayern will be looking to win this one. However, Hoffenheim tend to regularly take points from the Bavarians in recent seasons, so the players will need to be cautious of Seb Hoeness and his men. You don’t want to get ripped open by Andrej Kramaric on the second matchday of the season.

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Rhein-Neckar Arena, Sinsheim, Germany

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

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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