Defeat in Munich

Pál Dárdai made six changes to the team that started the home game against Bremen, setting up the side in a 4-4-2. Jonjoe Kenny, Filip Uremović and Agustín Rogel came into the team for Peter Pekarík (dropped to the bench), Márton Dárdai (injured) and Marc Kempf (suspended) and made up the back-four with Marvin Plattenhardt. Maximilian Mittelstädt, Jean-Paul Boëtius and Florian Niederlechner also came into the starting eleven for Marco Richter (also injured), Tolga Ciğerci and Derry Scherhant, who both dropped to the bench.

Christensen and compact defence keep the first half goalless

The first chance of the game went Bayern’s way, but Oliver Christensen was equal to João Cancelo’s shot (1’). After that, Dárdai’s side succeeded in keeping the record Champions away from their goal. At the other end, the team countered through Niederlechner (6’) and Dodi Lukébakio (15’) without creating any clear-cut chances. The Blue-Whites also restricted chances for the hosts with dogged defending. Referee Patrick Ittrich waved away Bayern protests for a penalty when Kingsley Coman went down in the box after 27 minutes. It was not until the 35th minute that Hertha’s number one was called into action once again, this time saving a Coman effort with his foot. The Dane also showed strong reactions to make a brilliant save diving to his left to prevent Serge Gnabry from close range (40’). He was also able to see a header from Sadio Mané in additional time sail wide of the goal, and both teams went in for the break with the game goalless. A solid first half display from the ‘Old Lady’.

Bundesliga debuts for Maza & Stange – Gnabry & Coman break the deadlock

Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel brought on additional additional impetus after the break in the form of Leroy Sané. Mané had the first chance of the second half, but this time his header looped onto the roof of the net (47‘). Bayern had several corners, but Hertha defenders continued to throw themselves in front of every ball. Hertha’s coach then brought on fresh legs, with Wilfried Kanga and Chidera Ejuke replacing Niederlechner and Jessic Ngankam. Bayern made a couple further changes after an hour with Thomas Müller and Ryan Gravenberch entering the fray. From a Hertha perspective, Ibrahim Maza came off the bench to replace Mittelstädt and make his Bundesliga debut for Hertha. The hosts then made the breakthrough in the 69th minute. Gnabry headed a chipped ball from Kimmich into the bottom corner from close range. Christensen made another good save, this time from Coman (78‘), but was powerless to prevent the France international just two minutes later. Kimmich played another chipped ball over the top, and this time it was the Frenchman who gave Christensen no chance from well within the box. The play went against Hertha, who had held out for a long time. Dárdai brought on Veit Stange shortly before full time to give another player their debut, and Lucas Tousart tested Bayern ‘keeper Yann Sommer moments later (84’). At this point, a home win for Tuchel’s side was never in real danger, though.

Bayern Munich: Sommer – Mazraoui (74’ Stanišić), Pavard, de Ligt, João Cancelo – Goretzka (46’ Sané), Kimmich (C) – Musiala (61’ Gravenberch), Coman (82’ Tel) – Gnabry, Mané (61’ Müller)

Hertha BSC: Christensen – Kenny, Uremović, Rogel, Plattenhardt (C) – Ngankam (56’ Ejuke), Tousart, Boëtius (83’ Stange), Mittelstädt (65’ Maza) – Niederlechner (56’ Kanga), Lukébakio (83’ Scherhant)

Goals: 1-0 Gnabry (69’), 2-0 Coman (80’)

Referee: Patrick Ittrich

Yellow cards: Goretzka, João Cancelo

Attendance: 75,000 (sold-out)