Bayern Munich suffers first defeat of the season against Hoffenheim on Sunday.
It was a torrid evening for Bavarian faithful as Bayern Munich succumbed to a 4-1 defeat against Hoffenheim on Sunday. The German Champions were outplayed by Sebastian Hoeness’ team as they looked tired and devoid of ideas on the pitch.
Hansi Flick decided to rotate the team after the midweek game against Sevilla. Joshua Zirkzee and Corentin Tolisso started in the place of Robert Lewandowski and Leon Goretzka. In the defense, Jerome Boateng and Alphonso Davies returned to the lineup, replacing Niklas Sule and Lucas Hernandez, respectively. Sebastian Hoeness made one change to the team that won away at Cologne last weekend, Stefan Posch coming in for Kasim Nuhu.
The fatigue in the team was clearly visible in the early exchanges as there were so many poor decisions made by Die Roten players on the ball. The German Champions started slowly, allowing Hoffenheim to keep a compact shape at the back.
Hoffenheim implemented an aggressive press to stifle Die Roten. They won the ball higher up the pitch to create some good chances. Joshua Zirkzee struggled to impose himself in the game as he was often isolated upfront when Die Roten struggled to progress the ball to the final third.
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The hosts opened the scoring in the 16th minute through a corner. Ermin Bicakcic got the better of Tolisso on the setpiece and headed the ball past Manuel Neuer. Hoffenheim continued to look threatening in the final third as Die Roten were giving away the ball. Benjamin Pavard‘s poor back pass piled on the misery for visitors as Munas Dabbur scored to double Hoffenheim’s lead. There were more chances for the home side to increase their lead, but they couldn’t finish those opportunities.
Shell shocked Die Roten tried to create chances after going two goals down, but things were not happening for them in the final third. They got one ball back through a curling shot from the edge of the box, which was also the first shot on target for the German Champions.
The second half followed the first half’s trend as Hoffenheim continued to create chances. Die Roten looked lethargic while defending, making uncharacteristic errors. Against the run of play, Joshua Zirkzee hit the crossbar from a difficult angle, but that was the only big chance for the German Champions in the second half.
Hoffenheim kept on knocking the door, but Neuer stood like a wall in front of the goal. Andrej Kramaric settled the game for the home side by scoring the third goal in the 77th minute to put the game beyond the visitors. It was a superb team move that was started by a long aerial ball by the goalkeeper.
Die Roten increased the tempo after Hoffenheim doubled their lead, but they couldn’t find the back of the net. The home side kept on creating chances on the counter. Neuer brought down Ihlas Bebou in the final minute of the game to give Kramaric the penalty to score the fourth goal for Hoffenheim.
Bayern’s long unbeaten run since December comes to an end. It was a poor performance from Flick’s men, but there is no time dwelling on it as games come from thick and fast. They will be facing Borussia Dortmund in DFL Supercup on Wednesday.
"Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)NeuerPavard- Boateng- Alaba,-DaviesKimmich-TolissoGnabry-Muller-SaneZirkzeeSubstitutes: Ulreich, Sule, Hernandez, Richards, Martinez, Goretzka (Pavard ↓(57′)), Musiala (Tolisso↓(73′)), Lewandowski (Zirkzee ↓(57′)), Coman (Sane↓(73′))Hoffenheim (3-4-1-2)BaumannPosch- Vogt- BicakcicAkpoguma- Samassekou- Geiger-KaderabekBaumgartnerDabbur- KramaricSubstitutes: Pentke, Skov (Bicakcic↓(39′)), Grillitsch (Dabbur↓(80′)), Bebou (Geiger↓(58′)), Larsen, Klauss, Nuhu, Gacinovic (Baumgartner ↓(58′)), Belfodil"