Bayern Strikes
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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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05 February 2020, Bavaria, Munich: Football: DFB Cup, Bayern Munich – 1899 Hoffenheim, Round of 16 in the Allianz Arena. Benjamin Pavard from FC Bayern Munich (l) and Steven Zuber from Hoffenheim in a duel for the ball. 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. Benjamin Pavard from FC Bayern Munich (l) and Steven Zuber from Hoffenheim in a duel for the ball. 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) /

A Lackluster Back Line

Since the start of the Hindrunde, Bayern’s defensive line has been very consistent. In last weekend’s takeaways piece, after the game against Mainz, I even mentioned how good the defense has been. But today that was not the case. In recent seasons, Jerome Boateng has been prone to the occasional blunder, and today was another such day. As stated above, the first goal will be counted as an own goal against him. The defender shot low, and Boateng reached a leg out to block, but instead, it ricocheted off his shin into the top of the goal. Boateng had a couple of nice moments and good tackles throughout the match, but overall, it was a poor performance from him.

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Arguably a worse performance came from summer signing Benjamin Pavard. He made two critical mistakes, which resulted in goals. The first goal came at 82nd minute, when he received the ball from Manuel Neuer, and tried to dribble past an attacker, but he was easily dispossessed, resulting in a cross into the box, and Dabbur putting the ball between Neuer’s legs into the goal.

The second goal was off of a counter-attack. Hoffenheim were running at the defense, and a ball was delivered in the box, which Pavard tried to clear, but the ball instead went towards goal and bounced off the post right into the path of Dabbur. These were uncharacteristic mistakes that Pavard doesn’t usually make, but will need to be cleaned up if Bayern are to beat Leipzig on the weekend.

The other two defenders, Alaba and Alphonso Davies had standout performances. Both played well defensively and contributed to the attack. Davies won’t get an official assist, but it was his cross that lead to the own goal in Bayern’s favor. Meanwhile, Alaba delivered a beautiful cross that lead to Muller’s second goal. The entire backline will need to be at their best against Leipzig, and hopefully, this match was just a wake-up call.