Bayern Strikes
Fansided

Four Takeaways as Bayern Munich smash Hertha Berlin

By Joshua Bishop

Bayern Munich's players, including Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (2ndR) and Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho (R) celebrate their opening goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Hertha Berlin v Bayern Munich in Berlin, on January 19, 2020. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich's players, including Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (2ndR) and Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho (R) celebrate their opening goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Hertha Berlin v Bayern Munich in Berlin, on January 19, 2020. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images) /
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BERLIN, GERMANY – JANUARY 19: Thiago of Bayern Munich in action during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Olympiastadion on January 19, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY – JANUARY 19: Thiago of Bayern Munich in action during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Olympiastadion on January 19, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Star players have a good start to Ruckrunde

For me, three players stood out in this match. I’ll save the best for last, so I’ll start with both Thomas Muller and Ivan Perisic. The two players playing on the wing were instrumental in getting the Bavarians ahead as both players got a goal, assisted by each other too. Perisic worked hard on the left using his aerial abilities to beat defenders, creating the goal for Muller, and getting his own goal in the 84th minute. He’s no longer the flashiest player with great footwork, but he was able to use his work ethic, and a bit of luck to get the better of defenders.

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Thomas Muller, due to injury, started on the right-wing, but still had a man-of-the-match level performance. This is great to see because Muller generally underperforms on the right-wing. However, Muller’s performance was perfectly aided by the width provided by Benjamin Pavard, allowing Muller to get into the center of the box, and take good positions in the final third as he did for the first goal. Apart from scoring, he got another assist in the match, taking his total to 12 on the season. He is truly playing at an elite level this season.

Lastly, Thiago played an incredible match. He is my man of the match because of his effort and influence was top notch throughout the game. With the attack starting slowly, Thiago stepped up his game and used his incredible passing and dribbling abilities to kickstart attacks. His performances have come under criticism recently, but he stepped up today to quell those critics. He also scored an incredible goal, holding off a couple of defenders and slotting the ball in the top corner.