Bayern Munich maintain winning momentum against Hertha Berlin

Bayern Munich showed grit and fight to clinch a comfortable but complicated 1-0 win against Hertha Berlin. Kingsley Coman’s first-half goal was enough for the visiting side to go ten points clear at the top of the table.

Hansi Flick decided to rotate the squad ahead of the trip to Qatar for Club World Cup. It was also an ultra-attacking lineup as Leroy Sane came into the team for Marc Roca, and Joshua Kimmich was the lone midfielder in the 4-1-4-1 setup. Niklas Sule and Lucas Hernandez replaced Jerome Boateng and Alphonso Davies in defense, respectively.

For hosts, there was one change in the midfield from the defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt as Matteo Guendouzi made way for Vladimir Darida. There were also a couple of changes in defense, with Peter Pekarik and Maximilian Mittelstaedt replacing Luka Netz and Lukas Klunter.

It was a frantic start to the game as both teams had some great opportunities to open the scoring. Manuel Neuer made a significant save to deny Lukebakio in the fourth minute. Die Roten also had a similar chance at the other end after a delightful pass from Thomas Muller sends Sane through on goal, but his shot was well saved by Runn Almenning Jarstein.

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Bayern got a golden opportunity to open the scoring when Lewandowski played a delightful through ball for Sane. The German winger was brought down by the goalkeeper. Uncharacteristically, Lewandowski couldn’t convert from the spot, and Jarstein made a terrific save to make up for that poor tackle.

Die Roten didn’t have to wait too long for the opening goal, though. Muller found Coman on the left flank in the 21st minute. The French winger went past couple of players and got the ball on his favoured left foot to unleash the shot. His shot took a massive deflection, making it impossible for Jarstein to make the save.

Jarstein was kept busy throughout the first half as he denied Sane from doubling the scoring. At the other end, Lukebakio had an opportunity to equalise from a setpiece just outside the box, but Neuer was alert enough to hold on to the ball. Both teams played some delightful stuff in the first half, along with showing vulnerability at the back.

Bayern came very close to doubling the lead at the start of the second half as Gnabry’s attempt was parried away from the danger zone by Jarstein. There was great intensity and competitive edge to the game in the second half as both teams were fighting for the first and second balls. Die Roten was dominating the possession and territory, but Hertha was maintaining a compact shape to stop any significant openings in the final third for the visitors.

Matteo Guendouzi’s introduction provided the impetus to the home side’s play at both ends of the pitch. He was putting the defensive shift and finding the offensive players with delightful passes whenever Hertha was recovering the ball. Die Roten was doing enough to intercept final passes of Hertha’s forwards.

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Hertha had a big chance in the penultimate minute of the normal time, but Matheus Cunha failed to beat Neuer in a one vs one situation. The scoreline might suggest that the second half was monotonous, but the two teams competed brilliantly. Die Roten looked in control on and off the ball, retaining the possession and stopping Hertha’s attacking moves at the right time. Though there were not many goals in this game, Flick will be delighted with the overall performance of the team.

"Hertha Berlin (4-2-3-1)JarsteinPekarik-Stark-Torunarigha- MittelstaedtAscacibar-TousartLukebakio-Darida-CunhaPiatekSubstitutes: Schwolow, Alderete (↓Torunarigha (46′)), M. Dardai, Klunter, Guendouzi (↓Darida (56′)), Khedira (↓Ascacibar (81′)), Leckie (↓ Lukebakio (81′)), Lowen, Radonjic (↓Piatek (62′))Bayern Munich (4-1-4-1)NeuerPavard- Sule-Alaba-HernandezKimmichSane-Muller-Gnabry-ComanLewandowskiSubstitutes: Hoffmann, Costa (↓Sane (73′)), Choupo-Moting (↓Coman (86′)), Boateng, Davies, Sarr, Roca, Tolisso (↓Gnabry (73′)), Musiala"