Joshua Kimmich bagged two assists as Bayern Munich secured a welcome victory over Hertha Berlin on Sunday night.
Bayern Munich regained their six-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga with a comfortable 4-1 win over Hertha Berlin on Sunday. It was a routine performance from the league leaders, who signed off for the international in the best way possible, dominating an opposition that looked hapless, to say the least.
Despite playing at home, with the support of around 3,000 supporters inside the Olympiastadion, Hertha Berlin were no match for the Bavarians juggernauts. The club from the capital were perhaps still ailing from their heartbreaking exit from DFB Pokal in midweek when they lost to city rivals Union Berlin.
The result was there for all to see, as the strengthened Bayern Munich side unleashed all their might to take a healthy 2-0 lead at half-time, thanks to goals from Corentin Tolisso and Thomas Muller. It was pretty much the same story in the second half when Leroy Sane got into the act while Serge Gnabry produced the finishing touches by giving their team an unassailable 4-0 lead within the 79th minute.
However, a careless moment from Dayot Upamecano led to a consolation goal for Hertha Berlin in the 80th minute, as Jurgen Ekkelenkamp broke Manuel Neuer’s hopes to secure a clean sheet.
Here, at the Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over the Bayern Munich players in their comfortable victory over Hertha Berlin this weekend.
Manuel Neuer: 7.5/10
Manuel Neuer made a couple of brilliant saves to deny Ishak Belfodil from scoring an early equaliser. He was always alert to the danger from opposition counter-attacks and barely put a foot wrong until he was deceived by Upamecano’s poor back pass in the 80th minute. He will be disappointed to have missed out on a deserved clean sheet.
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp staat er net in en geeft Hertha dan toch nog een treffer! Een heel bijzonder slotstuk in Duitsland! Eindstand 1-4 ?#ZiggoSport #Bundesliga #BSCFCB pic.twitter.com/xVCtlbFYN7
— Ziggo Sport Voetbal (@ZS_Voetbal) January 23, 2022
Benjamin Pavard: 7/10
Benjamin Pavard had a good game on the right hand side of the three-man Bayern backline. He looked comfortable dealing with the dynamic Myziane Maolida, allowing the forward very little space and time on the ball.
Niklas Sule: 7.5/10
Niklas Sule utilised his imposing presence to dominate both Maolida and Belfodil in aerial and physical duels. Also showcased his pace by trying to neutralise multiple counter-attacking opportunities. A reliable presence at the heart of the Bayern backline.
Lucas Hernandez: 7.5/10
Lucas Hernandez’s pace was vital for Bayern Munich in keeping Belfodil quiet. It further helped the Frenchman neutralise and mop up multiple balls in behind the backline. A strong performance on his return to the pitch.
Joshua Kimmich: 9/10
Back in his preferred midfield role and certainly back in full form. It was one of the best performances from Joshua Kimmich this year as he effortlessly controlled the midfield using his composure on the ball and a rather aggressive style of play. In addition to offering assurance in the build-up, the German created a few scoring opportunities as well, notably registering two assists on the night.
Vaxed Kimmich is the real deal pic.twitter.com/azZnwaDiJB
— Don Kimmich (@DonKimmich6) January 23, 2022
Corentin Tolisso: 8/10
Corentin Tolisso was undisputedly the best player for Bayern Munich during the first quarter of the game. He made several driving runs into the box and found the net twice, one of which was ruled out due to offside. The Frenchman continues to make a solid impact, although his future at Bayern remains uncertain.
Serge Gnabry: 8/10
Serge Gnabry offered threat out wide with his burst of pace. He looked direct, which is when he was most dangerous, as he caused problems for Suat Serdar and Maximilian Mittelstadt. The winger was rewarded for his solid effort with a late goal that further extended Bayern Munich’s lead.
Thomas Muller: 8/10
Thomas Muller looked a bit rusty in the early minutes, but he eventually became a crucial creative outlet for the visitors. His intelligent movement, coupled with a peripheric vision, allowed him to create multiple chances going forward. The German international marked his good performance with a goal at the stroke of half-time.
Thomas Muller has 22 G/A in 19 games this season… so underrated
— Amit Zohar (@amitrmfc) January 23, 2022
Leroy Sane: 7.5/10
Leroy Sane had a relatively quiet game in the first half, judging by his lofty standards. But he eventually settled into the game after the restart, using his trademarks cuts inside the defence to cause problems for the opposition. The winger created frequent opportunities, though it was his finishing that caught the attention. He notably had a sublime goal chalked off due to handball.
Kingsley Coman: 7/10
Kinglsey Coman offered more of a threat in the first half than he did in the second. His pace and a direct style of play caused problems for the opposition as usual, with the Frenchman assisting Tolisso for the opener.
Robert Lewandowski: 7.5/10
Robert Lewandowski had a rather disappointing game as he was barely handed a goalscoring opportunity. It appears Hertha Berlin had done their homework on the Polish hitman but failed to keep a closer look at his teammates. Despite failing to find the back of the net, Lewandowski worked hard for his team, always giving the full commitment.
Substitutes
Marcel Sabitzer: 6/10
Marcel Sabitzer replaced Tolisso midway through the second half. He didn’t make much of an impact, though.
Omar Richards: 6/10
Omar Richards operated in a more conventional left-back role when he replaced Coman in the second half.
Dayot Upamecano: N/A
Dayot Upamecano caused the error that led to Hertha Berling’s goal. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Upamecano should not start in the UCL for us.
— Warrior Basti (@warriorbasti) January 23, 2022
Jamal Musiala: N/A
A late replacement for Gnabry. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Paul Wanner: N/A
A late replacement for Muller. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
