Bayern Munich Player Ratings vs Hoffenheim: 8/10 for Boateng, Kimmich and two others; Rest get 6 or higher

Bayern Munich continued their unbeaten run to consolidate their place atop the Bundesliga table with a 4-1 win over Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Bayern Munich won their fourth consecutive game and widened the gap at the top to ten points, albeit temporarily. It was a commanding performance by the Bavarians, who took precise revenge for their 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Hoffenheim in the reverse fixture by defeating them with the exact same scoreline this time.

It was the home team that took charge of things first as Jerome Boateng converted a Joshua Kimmich corner past Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann, with a pinpoint header into the top corner. It was Thomas Muller who inflicted more pain upon the visitors by doubling the lead with a scuffed attempt from outside the box that narrowly made it into the back of the net.

With the first half nearing its end, in-form Andre Kramaric found himself in space in the box and halved the deficit with a well-struck volley past Manuel Neuer. Arguably, it was a goal that Hoffenheim deserved for their showings in the first half as they did test Neuer on several occasions.

Just as Hoffenheim seemed to get back into the game, a defensive blunder saw Bayern restore their two-goal lead. Robert Lewandowski capitalised on a spill by the goalkeeper and was the first to react as he passed the ball into an empty net. Shortly after, Kingsley Coman slipped Serge Gnabry into the box and the German made no mistake to slot the ball past Baumann with a neat grounded finish.

The game ended 4-1 and Bayern Munich were comfortable victors in what was a complete team performance. Here’s how we rated the performances of Hansi Flick’s men.

Manuel Neuer: 7/10

Neuer made a terrific stop right at the start of the game to deny Ihlas Bebou in a 1v1 situation. He also denied Havard Nordtveit’s wonderful effort that was curling into the far post with a flying stop. Neuer made four saves on an accomplished night but failed to keep a clean sheet, although there was very little he could do to stop Kramaric’s stunning finish.

Benjamin Pavard: 7/10

Pavard was often skinned by Kramaric on a night when the Croat operated on the inside left channel. The French full-back failed to keep a check on Kramaric when he ghosted into the box and found the finish for Hoffenheim’s only goal.

Nonetheless, Pavard made four interceptions and six clearances, doing his bit to restrict Hoffenheim to just a solitary goal. He was also unfortunate to not have a goal to his name after a great finish into the top corner that was ruled out for offside.

Jerome Boateng: 8/10

One of the best players on the pitch, Boateng was defensively solid. Boateng won three out of three of his aerial duels and made 3 clearances as well. The big German centre-back also opened the scoring for the Bavarians with a towering finish into the top corner at the half-hour mark.

David Alaba: 6/10

Not the best of performances by Alaba as he often looked sloppy in possession. The versatile defender lost the ball fourteen times and only had a passing accuracy rate of 85%. However, Alaba was defensively committed and worked hard to keep the dangerous Hoffenheim at bay.

Alphonso Davies: 7/10

It’s been a while since Davies produced a performance like those from last year’s UEFA Champions League and a lot is down to his recent ankle injury. However, Davies did look more like his usual self as he often bombed forward down the left wing, at times even ahead of his winger. But he could add a little control to his forward passes as they flew astray, resulting in him losing the ball 20 times.

Marc Roca: 6/10

It was Marc Roca’s first start for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga since moving to Germany from Espanyol. Roca went about his business quietly, doing the needful but did not make much of an impact on the game. The Spaniard kept the play ticking at a healthy accuracy of 86 percent, but did not really play any adventurous passes.

Joshua Kimmich: 8/10

Talking about adventure, Kimmich adds exactly that to this Bayern side. The playmaker’s vision is unmatched in this side and so is his technique. He assisted Boateng’s first and continued to create chances for the rest of the game. His three key passes and six out of six accurate long balls were the joint-highest on the pitch.

Thomas Muller: 7/10

It was a very smart performance by Muller, who continued to operate in spaces created by himself throughout the game. He was heavily involved in the build-up and also added a goal to his name in the first half with a clever finish from outside the box with his weaker left foot.

Kingsley Coman: 7/10

There has been a lot of talk about Coman, who has now failed to score in his last seven matches. Fans are wondering when Flick would give Leroy Sane a shot at his position. Having said that, Coman’s performance versus Hoffenheim was praise-worthy as he worked hard and created chances.

The Frenchman assisted Gnabry for Bayern’s fourth goal and in a way the third for Lewandowski as well. Coman is just lacking that final finishing touch in his game and would hope to improve upon that.

Serge Gnabry: 8/10

Gnabry, too, has struggled for goals this season and his strike versus Hoffenheim would be one that he should take confidence from. His neat finish in between the legs of Baumann took the game away from Hoffenheim once and for all. Gnabry looked lively on the ball as he showed off his pace and dribbling on several occasions.

Robert Lewandowski: 8/10

While it seemed that Hoffenheim had Lewandowski in control for large portions of the game, the Polish striker still ended the game with a goal and assist to his name. Lewandowski seems unstoppable right now, having netted a goal for the ninth consecutive game in the Bundesliga. He set up Muller for the second goal with some tidy dribbling in the box and showed his poaching instincts for the third. Another important performance by Bayern’s main man.

SUBSTITUTES

Leroy Sane: 7/10

Looked lively in his short cameo as he created one chance and also took a shot on goal himself. Sane should surely be aching for more minutes at the moment.

Jamal Musiala: 7/10

Musiala, 17, has been one that has impressed fans all around with his cool and composure on the ball. In his short appearance, Musiala attained a healthy amount of the ball and did not misplace a single pass. He won two interceptions as well.

Douglas Costa: 6/10

It was an exciting performance from Costa as he tried to play as directly as he could. He attempted three crosses, although none of them were accurate. He took a shot on goal as well.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: 5/10

Came on alongside Costa for the last 15 minutes but only touched the ball once in a largely anonymous performance.

Niklas Sule: N/A

Was subbed on late to see the game out.