Hertha Berlin 2-3 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• That was incredibly tense. Bayern Munich were 3-0 up at one point, can you believe it? Two quickfire goals from Hertha Berlin making it 3-2 before HT really messed with Nagelsmann’s gameplan. The team did not recover from it.
• Losing Alphonso Davies is just devastating. Not only is he such an amazing player, but Bayern fans worldwide were looking forward to him showcasing his talents at the World Cup. Now that’s at risk.
• Fatigue continues to take its toll. That’s the reason why we keep losing control in the final minutes of the game. Lord knows what Bayern will look like after the World Cup ruins the squad.
• VAR was not helpful at all today. Ugh.
• If you’re Nagelsmann, what do you do in the final two games? More rest and rotation, or go all out? The squad is suffering as it is, but the top of the table is so tight, and Union have no World Cup worries. This season is looking very tough.

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Interested in more analysis of the game? Why not check out our postgame podcast? We talk about the Davies injury, Mazraoui, Choupo-Moting for the Ballon d’Or, the World Cup, and more! Listen to it below or on Spotify.

As always, we appreciate all the support!

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Full time: Bayern Munich come away with a 3-2 win over Hertha Berlin.

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74’ — Sub: Leroy Sane comes on for Serge Gnabry.

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62’ — Oh god. It looks like Alphonso Davies has done his hamstring. Lucas Hernandez and Kingsley Coman (for Sadio Mane) come on.

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58’ — VAR rules out a goal for offside.

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45’ — The second half is underway!

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Halftime: Hertha Berlin 2-3 Bayern Munich.

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44’ — Goal. Selke slots a penalty past Manuel Neuer. Original foul by Benjamin Pavard in the box was spotted by VAR. Game back on.

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39’ — Goal. Lukebakio gets one back, 3-1.

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38’ —GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Choupo makes it 3-0!

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37’ — GOOOOOOOOOOAL! Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting makes it 2-0!

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12’ — GOOOOOOOOOOAL! Excellent finish by Jamal Musiala, who is assisted by Sadio Mane via a turnover from Hertha. 1-0 to Bayern.

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Kickoff: We’re underway in Munich!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Julian Nagelsmann fields Bayern Munich in a 4-2-3-1 with Serge Gnabry and Manuel Neuer returning to the lineup after brief and not-so-brief absences. Leroy Sane and Lucas Hernandez make the bench for the first time in a very long while, and Jamal Musiala starts in Thomas Muller’s attacking midfield spot. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting remains a starter given his amazing form this season. The rest of the lineup is as-expected.

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With only three games left until the World Cup, Bayern Munich are looking to close out this stage of the season with as many wins as possible. Hertha Berlin are nothing like their cross-town rivals Union Berlin in terms of playstyle, competency, success, atmosphere, likability ... well, anything, really. But they have at least 11 men who can kick a football, so they present a threat that must be eliminated.

Manuel Neuer is set to return in this game, while the likes of Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane could at least make the bench. Julian Nagelsmann is slowly nursing his squad back to health after the mid-October injury crisis, but the newfound issues with De Ligt’s knee and the continued absence of Thomas Muller remains setbacks to the overall plan. In any case, the squad is in good form recently and the coach has plenty of talent at his disposal to take down the ... um ... Berliners?

It’s Bayern time.

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While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our preview podcast? Listen to it below or at this link.

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Match Info

Location: Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany

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

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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