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Bayern Munich backline face first Bundesliga test from Andrej Kramaric

By Daniel Garza

DORTMUND, GERMANY - JUNE 27: Andrej Kramaric of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Signal Iduna Park on June 27, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - JUNE 27: Andrej Kramaric of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Signal Iduna Park on June 27, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) /
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Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric is a player Bayern Munich’s backline will have to keep an eye on.

The second match of the Bundesliga season will see Bayern Munich’s backline get their first test from a prolific goal scorer. Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric is off to a great start to the campaign with five goals in his first two appearances. He scored a brace in the first round of the DFB-Pokal and then recorded a hat-trick against FC Koln in the opening Bundesliga fixture for Hoffenheim. In total, he’s scored 10 goals in the last four appearances for Hoffenheim in all competitions. The last nine goals for Hoffenheim have been scored by the Croatian.

An impactful player

It was a short season for Kramaric during the 2019/20 campaign as he only made 19 appearances in the German top flight. Due to injuries, his time on the pitch was reduced. Despite this, he still managed to produce 12 goals to lead the way for Hoffenheim. There’s no question he is one of the top players Hoffenheim have on their squad. They only lost two matches during the last campaign when Kramaric scored.

Kramaric has been nothing but consistent throughout his career in the Bundesliga. He’s produced four consecutive seasons of 12 goals or more. As a result, he is a player who opposing clubs always have to watch out for. If he is allowed to roam free, goals will come.

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A tough time against Bayern

The goals have not come as easy for Kramaric against Bayern. He’s only scored once against them in his Bundesliga career. During a match during the 2016-17 season, he scored the match-winner in a 1-0 victory for Hoffenheim. Since then, he has not been able to register a goal against Die Roten.

If a club can keep Kramaric from scoring there’s a good chance they will be able to get all three points from the match. Last season, Bayern was able to keep Kramaric from scoring when they faced him in the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal last season.

Entering the match against Hoffenheim on Sunday, Rekordmeister’s backline will have its first test of the domestic season.

Against Schalke Die Roten’s backline were able to keep their opponents from getting many shots on goal. A similar performance against Hoffenheim would be another display of the defensive dominance the club is capable of producing again this season. Keeping Kramaric and the rest of Hoffenheim’s attack at bay would be a signal to the rest of the Bundesliga they have little weakness to show.