Hertha Berlin 0-1 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Bayern Munich actually won a game 1-0. After all the defensive calamities we’ve had this season, it feels like a miracle. Cunha’s miss at the end and Neuer’s numerous saves were crucial.
• Robert Lewandowski not getting a goal is a blow to his ambitions of beating Gerd’s record. The penalty miss was shocking for someone of his caliber.
• Kingsley Coman continues his good run of form this season — he was the best attacker on the pitch.
• Serge Gnabry didn’t score, but he put in a hell of a shift defensively. There aren’t many wingers who can produce that kind of work-rate on the pitch.
• None of the players had a poor performance, except Lewy who probably should’ve scored. A good outing overall, let’s hope the defense can keep the clean sheets coming.

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FT: Hertha Berlin 0-1 Bayern Munich.

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87’ — Not much going on, Bayern are trying to close it out.

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72’ — Still 1-0, Costa and Tolisso come on for Gnabry and Sane.

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45’ — The second half is underway!

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Halftime observations and analysis

• Snow covering the pitch makes this one of the more unique Bayern Munich games I’ve seen.
• Manuel Neuer almost had an assist. We were THIS close to greatness.
• Banjamin Pavard has been extremely aggressive today, and it looks good. Though the left side of Berlin’s pitch still looks really white, which suggests that he and Sane could be doing more.

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HT: 1-0 to Bayern.

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21’ — GOAL! Kingsley Coman opens the scoring with a long range goal that sails over the keeper’s reach.

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11’ — WHAT! Penalty to Bayern! Lewandowski steps up, and misses? Great save by the keeper, but when has that ever happened?

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Kickoff: We’re underway!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! What is that lineup? Flick wants goals.

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The last time Bayern Munich faced Hertha Berlin, it was a goal fest. An incredible four goals scored by none other than Robert Lewandowski heroics powered the Bavarians to a a 4-3 win, and the Berliners fortunes have not improved since then.

Languishing at 15th place in the table, Berlin is just the kind of team you rotate against. With the Club World Cup coming up, Hansi Flick has more incentive than usual to do so. Players like Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, and Niklas Sule could get a run out. Meanwhile, with Leon Goretzka still out with covid and Corentin Tolisso only recently returned from injury, this is another chance for Marc Roca to prove himself. Let’s see who plays.

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany

Time: 8:00 pm local time, 2:00 pm EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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