January 23, (THEWILL) – In a Matchday 20 match in the Bundesliga, Hertha Berlin faced league leaders Bayern Munich and lost 4-1 to a rampant Bavarian side.
Hertha arrived seeking an upset as a pick-me-up after their Pokal derby loss to Union Berlin in midweek. The record champions came to the Olympiastadion with the goal of reclaiming their 6-point Bundesliga advantage, which Dortmund had sliced to three points with a 2-3 win over Hoffenheim.
Within 110 seconds of the game’s start, Tolisso cushioned in a superb volley from Muller’s cross, but VAR overturned the goal for a narrow offside. Despite this little setback, the hosts were only getting a taste of what was to come, particularly Schwolow, who was kept busy a few times early on.
On 20 minutes, Lewandowski’s daring back heel attempt pulled the best out of Schwolow, but Korkut’s side were showing decent offensive potential on the break. And, Befodil was the home team’s standout performer, drawing a fine save from the totemic Manuel Neuer in goal.
Hertha’s defence was finally breached in the 25th minute. Coman and Tolisso, a French pair, collaborated superbly, with the latter thumping home a strong stooping header to make it 0-1 and avenge his earlier offside goal.
Bayern doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime thanks to Thomas Muller’s exquisite touch. After Kimmich curled in a lovely ball for the veteran Muller to convert for 0-2, Hertha had conceded 11 goals from set pieces before tonight.
Hertha should have equalised just seven minutes after the game resumed. Darida was offered a guilt-tainted opportunity from the left flank. The seasoned Czech midfielder could only redirect his effort outside the left upright, to the disappointment of Die Alte Dame fans.
With 15 minutes remaining in Berlin, Sane put the game to bed. When the hosts attempted to preserve possession within their own half, they were the victims of their own misfortune. Sane intercepted a clumsy ball across goal from Schwolow to Gechter and converted to the open net with little mercy.
Kimmich linked a wonderful ball into Gnabry’s path and he slipped his effort under the knees of Schwolow to bring the score to 0-4.
Naglesmann’s Bayern, on the other hand, had their clean sheet soiled less than 60 seconds later. Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, a young German international, reacted quickly to Neuer’s initial parried save by lobbing him, resulting in a 1-4 score line.
Sane thought he had restored his side’s four-goal advantage two minutes before full time, but his goal was ruled off. Bayern did not let this deter them, as they restored their 6-point Bundesliga lead just before the international break.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
