Four observations from Bayern Munich’s 5-0 win over Hoffenheim

Bayern Munich made almost no mistake and TSG Hoffenheim couldn’t do anything right on a beautiful night of soft snow in Munich. Bayern ran away with this one, 5-0.

Statement of Intent

Leading 2-0 at the start of the week over relegation candidates in a midweek match with the return of the Champions League to come? This may be the time for some teams to sit back, settle in and enjoy a period of patient possession and domination.

Not the Bavarians, who kept their foot firmly pressed on their opponents’ throats. At times you could say it was a risk: one or two long balls offered the start of a threat from Hoffenheim to repeat the match, and Bayern missed a few good chances before a penalty – granted after viewing the video – does not put them in danger. in charge for good.

But this was a Bayern team out for blood, and on the other side, a desperately hapless Hoffenheim who couldn’t even manage a shot at half-time. There have been enough times this season where Bayern have been content to pick up a neat and professional three points. As Hoffenheim looked ready to be plucked, each Bayern attacker rushed forward with intent, eager to grab their own share of the spoils.

After a long Winter breakit was exactly the kind of energy Bayern needed. Let no one think that this is a Bayern team that still needs to wake up.

Bayern have never stopped believing in Leroy Sané

Pressure has mounted on Leroy Sané, who proved unstable in the first half of last season only to spend so much time out of the set-up this year that his future at club and country now appears far from assured . Michael Olise has been a revelation as another creative left winger coming in from the right, and Sané – often on cameo occasions – has looked positively rattled, sometimes so keen to score that he ends up missing his chances.

But Vincent Kompany did not hesitate to support Sané, even after, while starting, the 29-year-old whiffed against an empty net last weekend against Gladbach.

And Sané, for the day at least, rewarded his coach for his patience.

From the sixth minute, Sané was offered an opportunity which he seized without batting an eyelid and fired a howitzer shot while he came up against a withdrawal from Thomas Müller from the right flank. With that goal, Sané looked instantly revitalized – unleashing several more dangerous shots in a similar vein (subsequent attempts were blocked) and wreaking havoc with his runs and runs down the flank. By the time he collected his double in the second half – coolly and calmly heading home a Mathys Tel cross – he didn’t look at all like a player under any pressure.

Sané would be the least likely to extend among Bayern veterans with expiring contracts, and that could yet prove true. But he remains a supreme talent and it is a joy to see him enjoying his football.

A crucial moment for young people

In different ways, Aleksandar Pavlović and Mathys Tel are going through important periods in their careers at Bayern Munich.

Pavlović suddenly gave way to Leon Goretzka, at least for a series of matches. In the youngster’s absence, the veteran showed much of his old strength. Who will be called up in big matches from now on? The youngster, from this one on, was a steady partner for Joshua Kimmich in a game where he was rarely called upon to be anything other than anonymous. Once or twice he could have kept the pace faster, but considering the overall score, you can hardly blame him.

While Pavlović must reestablish himself in the Bayern hierarchy, Tel must still establish himself there. Bayern are notoriously overloaded in attack, as usual, but while the Bavarians have needed a spark this year, Tel has rarely provided it, or even had the opportunity to do so.

Now that several clubs are making inquiries and alternative attacking reinforcements could arrive – Chelsea FC’s Christopher Nkunku, for example – there is a sense of urgency in each of Tel’s appearances.

The 19-year-old got the entire second half after fellow Frenchman Kingsley Coman was rested.

Tel has the nose of an attacker but had to ply his trade on the Bayern wings, and that was his lot again today. And he fulfilled it with aplomb: he provided a looping cross for Sané’s double, sent a low ball to Thomas Müller and generally showed that he could create and provide width as well as he could mark.

But Tel also has to score, and he missed one of his best chances – in the 60th minute, as Bayern broke with the numbers and Kane played him down the left – by procrastinating for too long until he lacks both angles to shoot and his teammates. pass to. Shortly after, another opportunity resulted in a missed shot, again with Tel cutting on his strong foot.

When Kane was snagged early on for Serge Gnabry, it was Gnabry who inherited the center forward role instead of Tel; Gnabry who then enjoyed the fruits of some delightful combination play and sent the ball into an empty net for Bayern’s fifth. If the youngster is stuck in Bayern’s crowded wings, that won’t deter the front office from dipping into the transfer market to look for central reinforcements.

Hoffenheim in great difficulty

As impressive as Bayern were that day, Hoffenheim were downright catastrophic.

No matter how high Bayern rose, Hofffenheim could not pose any threat at the back. Hoffenheim were so devoid of opportunities that the visitors began the second half with a shot straight from the kick-off – their first of the evening. By the time Manuel Neuer was finally called into action to make a significant save, the score was 5-0.

“It’s a big (expletive),” lamented Andrej Kramarić, moved and furious, after the match.

Can TSG stay up? This is quickly becoming the question of the moment. Holstein Kiel – Hoffenheim’s next opponents – showed signs of life this week by thrashing Borussia Dortmund, and two Bayern youngsters help provide compatriot FC Heidenheim – who earned a draw against Werder Bremen today after a 90 + 5 equalizer thanks to Léo Scienza. – with additional offensive firepower.

Hoffenheim are going to have to dig deep in the costume closet to find a new look after this one. And with Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen following Holstein Kiel on the match schedule, they will need to turn things around quickly.

---

Looking for more commentary and analysis on Bayern Munich’s 5-0 loss to Hoffenheim? Great, then check out our Bavarian podcast works – Postgame Show on Patreon, Spotify or below:

Be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all your up-to-date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Consult us on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @IredahlMarcus, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.