Bayern Munich 3-1 Hoffenheim
Few expected thought that Bayern Munich would lose in the opening fixture of the new Bundesliga season, but I don’t think fans expected the result to be this one-sided!
Niko Kovac’s reign at Bayern started at the right foot when the club unleashed a one-sided domination of Julian Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim. While the visitors showcased admirable stuff with their physical play and hunger for the attack, the Bavarians were just too good on the day to be beaten by them.
With Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski playing like absolute gods, there’s no question among the SBOBET Bundesliga fans on who the reigning kings of German football are. Kovac can easily
Highlights of the game
Bayern dominated much of the game’s first twenty minutes, living up to pre-match Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim odds. Hoffenheim then began to string together passes through the middle to give Germany keeper Manuel Neuer a bit of a quick workout. While Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim began to connect their passes as the game progressed, it was obvious to everyone that Bayern was the superior team.
FC Bayern suddenly scored the first Bundesliga goal of the season in the 23rd minute. Joshua Kimmich fired a corner in the near post. The ball headed straight past the defenders and into the head of Thomas Muller. He headed the ball towards the bottom-right corner, far from Oliver Baumann’s reach.
Bayern continued to dominate the first half in terms of content, but Hoffenheim haven’t lifted the white flag just yet. In a blitzing counter, Joelinton almost put the club back on equal grounds. He had a shot at goal and only the keeper to beat, but his shot flew just past the right post.
David Alaba and Kingsley Coman had chances to seal the first set of Bundesliga 2018 results in Bayern’s favour in the first half, but few things went amiss. Muller didn’t reach Alaba’s cross in time, and Baumann denied Coman of his first goal of the season.
Coman was more unfortunate in a way, as he was tackled hard in the last minutes of the half and injured his left foot. In the end, the physio team deemed him unfit to play the rest of the game and take him out of the match.
The second half started with an increased sense of physicality. Nagelsmann showed why he got Real Madrid’s attention when the 1899 played harder football against the defending champions under his instructions. However, Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski showed off their class, as their efforts almost resulted in goals.
Hoffenheim soon managed to make it equal in the 58th minute. Adam Szalai got the ball near the box, did some great footwork to lose his marker, and slot the ball past Neuer for the equaliser. It was a brilliant individual display from the 30-year-old Hungarian.
The Bavarians continue to dominate possession despite the physicality, but the visitors are doing well at the Allianz Arena. Kevin Vogt picked up a knock in the midst of the battle and also had to be taken off the pitch.
Allianz Arena saw a thrilling end to the game as Bayern started showing their dominance. Robert Lewandowski, who reiterated his commitment to the club, took a penalty attempt that Baumann saved. Robben blitzed past the defence to get the rebound and the goal. However, the VAR caught him offside and deemed the shot be taken again. This time, though, Bayern’s ace smashed the ball in.
Thomas Muller also had a brilliant goal go in but was once again denied by the VAR. Baumann once again had to pull the club from another ditch when James Rodriguez found some space inside the box to slot the ball in. However, Arjen Robben ended Hoffenheim’s suffering when he finally got a goal in the 90th minute of the game.
Key Statistics
With this victory, the Bavarians now extend their opening-match winning streak to six games. The last time the Bavarians lost an opening game at the Bundesliga was back in 2011/12 when Borussia Monchengladbach beat them 0-1.
Bayern’s lead over Hoffenheim also ballooned in the league head-to-head: the Bavarians have now won 14 times, drew five, and lost two. Bayern’s winning streak against the 1899 at their stomping grounds also extend to 11 games.
Bayern dominated the game they were expected to win, having the lion’s share of the ball and making twice of Hoffenheim’s eight goal attempts throughout the match. They also had more corners and free-kicks. Hoffenheim got four yellow cards and were extremely lucky not to get one of their carded players sent off.
What’s next?
The SBOBET Bundesliga community would have to wait an entire week if they want to see the defending champions play more league football. Their next game would see the Bavarians make the trek to Stuttgart, a team that ended the previous season on a high. Fans have something to keep them busy, though: MLS side Chicago fire will be playing a friendly with them on the midweek.
Meanwhile, Nagelsmann would have to pull his troops together and look onwards to the next match. Freiburg barely made it out of the relegation zone and may be easy pickings for the team, but he has to whip his boys into shape and make them focus on the task ahead.
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