Bayern Strikes
Fansided

Takeaways as Bayern Munich survive late scare from Hoffenheim

By Joshua Bishop

05 February 2020, Bavaria, Munich: Football: DFB Cup, Bayern Munich - 1899 Hoffenheim, Round of 16 in the Allianz Arena. David Alaba (l-r), Alvaro Odriozola, Joshua Kimmich, Corentin Tolisso, Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Müller and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from FC Bayern Munich celebrate their victory with the fans after the game. Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to exploit or have exploited in the stadium and/or from the game taken photographs in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images)
05 February 2020, Bavaria, Munich: Football: DFB Cup, Bayern Munich - 1899 Hoffenheim, Round of 16 in the Allianz Arena. David Alaba (l-r), Alvaro Odriozola, Joshua Kimmich, Corentin Tolisso, Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Müller and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from FC Bayern Munich celebrate their victory with the fans after the game. Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to exploit or have exploited in the stadium and/or from the game taken photographs in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – JANUARY 25: Robert Lewandowski (R) of Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring the opening goal with his team mate Thomas Mueller during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Schalke 04 at Allianz Arena on January 25, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – JANUARY 25: Robert Lewandowski (R) of Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring the opening goal with his team mate Thomas Mueller during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Schalke 04 at Allianz Arena on January 25, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

A Lethal Duo

How good are Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski? The front two attackers officially combined for three goals in the match, but Muller’s run in the eighth minute directly lead to the own goal that equalized for the hosts. Muller’s second goal was from another run into the box, where he flicked on David Alaba‘s beautiful cross into the back of the net. In this match, Muller was put back into the attacking midfield role after playing several matches on the wing, and his level of play didn’t drop one bit. It was another vintage performance from the raumdeuter, who has cemented his spot as the unquestioned attacking midfielder in the lineup.

Robert Lewandowski did get a brace on the score sheet, both coming from headers. The first was from a goalkeeping error by Philipp Pentke, as he came off his line quickly, but wasn’t able to punch the ball away from Muller. As a consequence, the ball was knocked into the path of Lewandowski. The second goal was from a corner kick, where the Polish striker broke free from the defender and rose to knock the ball into the back of the net. Lewandowski had another wide-open chance, but due to a bit of hesitation, he wasn’t able to put into the goal.

Both players are on top form and with Leipzig coming to town on the weekend, and the Chelsea fixture quickly approaching, Bayern need these players to be at their best. It wasn’t that long ago that people thought Muller was “finished”, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Bayern have a chance to do some extraordinary things this season if these players keep it up.