FC Bayern Munich has confidently defended its league lead in the Bundesliga. In the absence of the corona-positive head coach Julian Nagelsmann, the record champions prevailed 4-0 (2-0) against TSG Hoffenheim in front of 60,000 spectators in the Allianz Arena. Joshua Kimmich then commented on his vaccination status.
Serge Gnabry (16th) and Robert Lewandowski (30th) put the Munich team coached by Nagelsmann’s assistant Dino Toppmöller on course for victory in the first half, after the break, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (82nd) met.
Midfielder Kimmich spoke after the final whistle Sky about his vaccination status. He confirmed media reports that he was not vaccinated against Corona and justified this with concerns due to the lack of long-term studies. However, he refused to be called a “corona denier”. Here are his statements in full.
“You have to say that it is a private matter. I got vaccinated,” said FCB goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after the victory Sky. “I think it is essential for all of us that we had so many spectators here in the arena today. But that is his own business.” You can find further reactions to Kimmich’s statement here.
FC Bayern sets Bundesliga record
With the seventh win in the ninth game, FCB increased its points account in the Bundesliga to 22 points. Closely behind with 21 points: BVB, who defeated Arminia Bielefeld 3-1 (2-0) at the same time. Incidentally, 33 goals after only nine match days are a Bundesliga record.
“It was a deserved victory. The team played very strong football for 30 minutes,” said Toppmöller. “In the end we picked up another gear. We’re all happy when Julian comes back as soon as possible – and I can take another step back.”
Sebastian Hoeneß, head coach of TSG, saw his team too discouraged, especially in the first half: “We wanted to be more courageous, but we were inhibited. Bayern punished that.”
FC Bayern – TSG Hoffenheim: The analysis
The coaching team around Toppmöller made three changes to the starting line-up compared to the 4-0 win in the Champions League at Benfica Lisbon: Richards, Musiala and Gnabry rotated into the team for Süle, Coman and Sane. The fresh wind on the outside was good for the home side.
After several good attacks and quick combinations in the last third, Gnabry got Bayern’s well-deserved lead against a Hoffenheim team after a quarter of an hour, which traveled to Munich with self-confidence after the 5-0 home win against Cologne, but from the individual quality of the opponent was simply overrun.
The TSG did not take place offensively in the first half – and again and again afforded a few negligence in duels. So also before the dream goal by Lewandowski to 2-0, which Müller initiated with a strong duel.
After the break, the game flattened a little, the home side pulled back a little further and let the guests come to significantly more ball actions. TSG did not know how to capitalize on this. The few degrees of the Kraichgauer were either too unplaced or were defused by Neuer. The substitutes Choupo-Moting and Coman met shortly before the end for Bayern.
The star of the game: Serge Gnabry (FC Bayern Munich)
Most noticeable offensive player at FCB. Continued his outstanding run and scored his 6th Bundesliga goal – only Lewandowski, Haaland and Schick have more.
The flop of the game: Jacob Bruun Larsen (TSG Hoffenheim)
No duel won, no ties to the game. The ex-BVB professional symbolized the harmless offensive game of the guests.
The referee: Dr. Matthias Jöllenbeck
Was in the center of attention early on, when he initially gave a goal by Gnabry (8th) despite a previous foul, but then took it back after consulting his video assistant. Otherwise, a solid leader in a game that was sometimes very tough.
