If the away game to Werder Bremen was a solid step in the right direction, then this was surely two steps back. Bayern Munich wasted chances and proved to be defensively sloppy.
Manager Grade
Carlo Ancelotti — C-
This score is somewhat tricky due to blame that is spread around from this match. While there were some notable absentees, this was partially due to injured/rested players from the international break. With Alaba and Bernat injured, Rafinha seemed the only choice at left-back. However, playing James, Vidal and at least 1/2 of “Robbery” from the start, or at least much sooner, seemed a faulty decision in part. On paper, this seemed to be a more than competent lineup. In the end, Carlo’s lineup is sharing blame with player performance and managerial decision.
Player Grades
GK, Manuel Neuer — D
It might seem a bit harsh to put this score on the Bayern Munich and Germany number one, since a lot of fault is with his back-line as well. However, it’s hard to pick out significant enough positives to pull up his score after conceding two goals in a 2-0 loss. While making some stops and plucking up some loose balls, there was nothing too special on the day from the otherwise best keeper in the world.
DEF, Rafinha — D
It’s definitely not a shock to say that the defense was the most consistently graded among the starting XI. It’s just not consistent in the way we’d hope. Rafinha was surely no exception. While once a decent and reliable sub, he seems to now be falling into the category of “defensive liability”. His chemistry with Coman wasn’t significant, and was defensively slow to react in both goals.
DEF, Mats Hummels — D
Mats Hummels is typically a wall for Bayern Munich and Germany, but today was a bit of a fall from grace. When he was caught napping on the throw-in leading to Uth’s first, it was shocking to say the least. Even in the lead up to the second, Hummels, along with Rafinha, was among the players completely slow to step up to try to smother Uth’s shot. Definitely a day to forget.
DEF, Javi Martínez — D
What can be said for Hummels can mostly be said for Martínez’s performance. While not quite as glaringly bad, he was bad for sure. In Uth’s first, he was late to track back and tucked too far up into midfield to even hope to reach the German in time. Needless to say, he was no help defending the second either. Martínez was also guilty of allowing Uth plenty of space to land the kill-shot to make it 2-0.
DEF, Joshua Kimmich — D
It’s sad to say, but this was assuredly Kimmich’s worst performance at right-back. The youngster made largely errant and failed crosses and was uncharacteristically lazy in tracking back when the team needed it the most. Both of Hoffenheim’s goals started from Kimmich’s right flank. He was absolutely nowhere to be found tracking back during Uth’s first goal, until it was too late. During the second, Kimmich was sucked too far into the middle and allowed a wide open pass to Zuber, who easily fed Uth for the 2-0.
MID, Sebastian Rudy — C-
While Rudy wasn’t blatantly poor, he was fairly below average. Rudy did show instances of defensive tackles and was mostly accurate in passing. However, there was nothing very special about his performance on the day. Ultimately, he and Tolisso didn’t provide the back line significant shielding with their holding/defensive-midfield pivot.
MID, Corentin Tolisso — C-
As mentioned, Tolisso didn’t provide enough in the way of an extra defensive layer. Nor did he really help much in driving a significant offensive play going forward. Again, while he rarely put a foot wrong in passing, none of it was particularly inspiring. Given Tolisso’s typical characteristics of being a strong and energetic box-to-box like midfielder, this was a generally lackluster showing.
MID, Kingsley Coman — C-
The young Frenchman, for what it’s worth, was quite energetic on the pitch. Coman was actually one of the few offensive players who looked like they were trying to be creative going forward. But effort alone is not always enough. While Coman looked quick and lethal in one-on-ones occasionally, his crosses were mostly misfires and, at best, only close to their intended target.
MID, Thiago — C
Thiago was also among the few of the XI that were truly trying to inspire something within this Bayern Munich squad. The Spaniard managed 70/77 accurate passes, for a total of 91% accuracy. But, like with Coman, his effort wasn’t rewarded. While largely accurate and involved in midfield, he couldn’t produce the lethal through balls that normally lead to goal-scoring chances. Thiago simply wasn’t enough on the day to be the catalyst for goals.
MID, Thomas Müller — D
Unfortunately, this was another troubled performance from the Bayern Munich poster-boy. Thomas Müller looked mostly invisible in attack aside from perhaps a couple of half-chances. He couldn’t comfortably drift around the pitch to pick out pockets of space either for himself or his teammates.
FWD, Lewandowski — C-
Perhaps it can be said Lewandowski only made do with what his teammates gave him. Either way, it was a fruitless performance from the Pole. Lewandowski squeezed in some shots on goal, showing effort when given the chance, but nothing enough to warrant a goal. Blame should be shared with his teammates as well, since a striker needs service to convert, and there was certainly not enough of that.
Next: Carlo Ancelotti discusses Thomas Muller's role in the Bayern Munich squad
Subs
MID, Arjen Robben — D
Robben’s score may have been higher had we gotten a chance to see him much sooner. But hindsight is 20/20, and while he was on the pitch Arjen Robben was rendered mostly silent in attack.
MID, Franck Ribéry — N/A
Franck Ribéry’s limited showing and lack of impact wasn’t enough to warrant a score against Hoffenheim.
MID, James Rodríguez — N/A
Like Ribéry, James’ late performance wasn’t enough to assign a score. Aside from a well placed free-kick to Javi late on, there simply wasn’t enough to make note of.