Bayern Munich may have been missing more than a few key players, but they still had no trouble against Hoffenheim, despite the visitors’ impressive start to the season. Mario Götze kicked off the scoring and the goals just kept coming, resulting in a 4-0 win for the Bavarians.
Bayern Munich vs. Hoffenheim: Final score 4-0, Bavarians stroll to win
Bayern had no trouble staying top of the table, easing to a win at the Allianz Arena.
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With Philipp Lahm and David Alaba out, Bayern boss Pep Guardiola had to make some changes to his side. He elected to go with a fairly aggressive lineup, starting four very attack-minded players behind Robert Lewandowski.
As with any team that comes up against the juggernaut that is Bayern, Hoffenheim knew they would only have a few chances. Unfortunately for Markus Gisdol's side, Anthony Modeste's ninth minute miss would come back to haunt them. The Frenchman was able to get on the end of a cross, but despite his header beating Manuel Neuer, it also beat the post.
Götze opened the scoring 23 minutes in, receiving a ball about 30 yards out with his back facing goal. The Hoffenheim defence allowed him to turn and to have a shot from about 25 yards away The visitors paid for it instantly as the Bayern man smashed a knuckleball of a shot into the top right corner, giving Oliver Baumann no chance.
Robert Lewandowski then doubled the advantage five minutes before halftime. Arjen Robben floated a cross to the back post and the Polish striker found himself in a lot of space and finished with a header past Baumann.
Hoffenheim had another scoring chance with 15 minutes remaining in the match. It fell to the recently subbed on Ádám Szalai, but he was unable to capitalize. The ball was rolling towards the touchline and Mehdi Benatia tried to use his body to shield it, but fellow Hoffenheim substitute Sven Schipplock was able to get around the Bayern man and play a cross in to Szalai, who had a shot. Neuer made a brilliant kick save, coming back across goal but Szalai should have done better.
Bastian Schweinsteiger came on to a standing ovation, making his first appearance for Bayern in the 2014/15 season. He replaced Mario Götze in the 77th minute.
Arjen Robben put it beyond any doubt eight minutes from time, cheekily finishing with a chip from about five yards out. He dribbled through two defenders at the edge of the area before dinking it over Baumann.
Sebastian Rode smashed home a fourth three minutes before stoppage time. The recently returned Schweinsteiger played him in with a chip over the Hoffenheim backline, and the fellow substitute smashed it across to the far left side. Oliver Baumann made zero saves, as Bayern scored with each of the four shots that were on target.
Szalai was sent off in the final minute for a terrible challenge on Dante. It was clear the Bayern man would get to the ball first, but the Hoffenheim attacker came in full bore and stepped on his ankle right in front of referee Peter Gagelmann, who had a rather simple decision in a match that was well over.
Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer; Rafinha, Mehdi Benatia, Jérôme Boateng (Dante 73'), Juan Bernat; Xabi Alonso, Thomas Müller (Sebastian Rode 59'), Mario Götze; Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Ribery.
Goals: Götze (23’), Lewandowski (40’), Robben (82’), Rode (87’)
Hoffenheim: Oliver Baumann; Tobias Strobl, Nicklas Süle, Ermin Bičakčić, Andreas Beck; Sebastian Rudy, Pirmin Schwegler; Kevin Volland (Ádám Szalai 70’), Roberto Firmino, Tarik Elyounoussi; Anthony Modeste (Sven Schipplock 70’) .
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