Bayern Munich 4-0 Hoffenheim: Player ratings as Die Roten remain top of Bundesliga
Bayern Munich remain top of the Bundesliga courtesy of a 4-0 home win over Hoffenheim on Saturday, with head coach Julian Nagelsmann watching on from home after testing positive for coronavirus.
Bayern had the ball in the back of the net inside eight minutes, only for Serge Gnabry's effort to be chalked off following a VAR review due to a foul by Jamal Musiala in the build-up.
Soon after, Gnabry netted a strike that did stand, finishing off a free-flowing team move following a perfect pass from Musiala - who atoned for his previous sins.
On the half-hour mark, Robert Lewandowski - who else? - scored a sublime second. Thomas Muller latched onto a hopeful long ball, held it up and offloaded to his strike partner to lash home from outside the box.
Just before the break Lewandowski spurned a good chance to make it 3-0 with his inside-the-box finish cannoning off Oliver Baumann's foot.
Early in the second period Hoffenheim tried taking the game to their hosts and they did manage to create several half-chances, failing to take any of them. As the half progressed Bayern ceded more and more territory with their opponents firing off several efforts to no avail.
Die Roten remained threatening on the counter though, and nine minutes from time they put the game beyond all doubt when substitute Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting latched onto a deflection and diverted the ball past Baumann. Seconds later they thought they had a fourth, only for the offside flag to deny Corentin Tolisso a rare goal.
A few minutes afterwards they did score again, with fellow substitute Kingsley Coman lifting his finish over the hapless Baumann.
Here are your Bayern player ratings from Bavaria...
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Manuel Neuer (GK) - 7/10 - Made a few good saves in the second half. Kicking was accurate for the most part.
Benjamin Pavard (RB) - 7/10 - Shackled Jacob Bruun Larsen, who has been in decent form this season. Little to report offensively with Bayern focussing their attacks down the opposite flank.
Dayot Upamecano (CB) - 8/10 - Growing into his role with each passing game. Faultless in possession and created the fourth goal.
Lucas Hernandez (CB) - 7/10 - Two excellent interventions in the first half. Generally comfortable throughout, before being hooked at half time.
Omar Richards (LB) - 7/10 - His first-ever Bundesliga start - not that he should any signs of nervousness. Dependable defensively and his crossing added another dimension to the Bayern attack.
2. Midfielders
Joshua Kimmich (CM) - 7/10 - Bayern's engine room defensively and creatively. So good.
Marcel Sabitzer (CM) - 7/10 - Starts have been hard to come by since his move but he did his first-team chances no harm will an all-action performance.
Thomas Muller (AM) - 8/10 - Still one of the best playmakers in the world. Integral in the build-up to the opener and then set up the second.
3. Forwards
Serge Gnabry (RW) - 8/10 - Constant livewire. Competition for places is intense but while he keeps scoring he remains undroppable.
Robert Lewandowski (ST) - 7/10 - Finished superbly in the first half. Did not get as many chances as he normally would and spurned a decent opening late on.
Jamal Musiala (LW) - 8/10 - Such a scary talent. So accomplished on the ball, while his decision making defies his tender years. Off the ball he was close to perfect.
4. Substitutes
Niklas Sule - 6/10 - Not as imposing as Hernandez but did not concede any goals.
Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting - 7/10 - Some neat touches during his cameo and had a header well saved, before scoring the clincher.
Kingsley Coman - 7/10 - Missed a good chance but made up for it before the end.
Leroy Sane - 6/10 - Quiet after his incredible midweek antics.
Corentin Tolisso - 6/10 - Had one ruled out for offside.
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