Bayern Munich will be looking to enter the September international break on a high note with a victory over Hertha Berlin on Saturday. Bayern come into this game after an emphatic 12-0 result against Bremer SV in DFB Pokal this week.
After registering their first win of the 2021/22 Bundesliga season last Sunday against FC Koln, Die Roten can remain unbeaten in the German top flight with a win or draw against Hertha. Here are three things to watch for ahead of Saturday’s match.
Robert Lewandowski’s success against Hertha
With seven goals in his last four appearances against Hertha Berlin, Lewandowski will certainly be a key player to watch on Saturday. Last season, Lewandowski scored four goals in a single match against Hertha as he led the way to a 4-3 victory. That four-goal performance was one of his most memorable performances for Die Roten.
The Poland international is off to a fantastic start in the current campaign with goals in both of his first two Bundesliga starts and he can add to his early-season total against Hertha. Lewandowski has scored in every single one of his last 12 Bundesliga appearances. This streak can certainly be extended against Hertha Berlin this weekend and he will go into the international break in the best possible form.
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Hertha’s struggles in the second half
The second half has not been a strong point for Hertha thus far. They have taken the lead first in both of their Bundesliga fixtures but have gone on to lose these matches. Four of the five goals they have conceded have been scored in the second 45 minutes.
As a result, it’s seen them fall to the last place in the table. If Die Roten struggles to find the back of the net in the first half it might turn around in the second half against a side who has struggled defensively in the second half.
Can Bayern improve on dispossession average?
According to WhoScored, Rekordmeister has been dispossessed, while on the ball (no dribble involved), an average of 15 times per game. This is currently the highest average number in the Bundesliga and it has led to Die Roten ranking third in the league when it comes to overall possession.
The 15 per game average is also higher than last season’s average of 10.3 per game. It will be interesting to see if this is just an early-season trend or if this average continues to remain the same against Hertha on Saturday.