Five observations of Bayern Munich’s impressive 4-1 win over Hoffenheim

Bayern Munich shows the difference that rest can make

The last time Bayern faced Hoffenheim, the team was defeated 4-1. This time, it was still a hammer, but in the other direction. The difference? Rest.

Bayern were not exactly “healthy” entering the game, with almost the entire starting midfield out for one reason or another. However, for the first time this season, the team is hosting a series of games with at least a week difference between them, and this has done wonders for the team’s fitness and overall quality of play.

Compare that to the Hinrunde game, which took place just 48 hours after Bayern played a grueling 120 minutes against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup. Credit to Hoffenheim, they punished us that day. But if Bayern had had the normal rest before that game (after all, the UEFA Super Cup is usually a pre-season game – it shouldn’t be played after the league started), then things would have been very different.

A pity – if it weren’t for this defect, Bayern could have stayed the entire calendar year 2020 undefeated.

Thomas Muller is back in good shape

With the goal of the night, Thomas Muller reaches double figures in a championship season for the first time since 2015-16, when Pep Guardiola was still in charge. While most people think Muller deliberately reinvented himself as a provider when his goals began to run out, the truth is that Muller was forced to change his natural style by incompetent coaches who did not know how to use their talents.

With Flick, Muller found someone who will use his talents to the fullest and rediscovered how to score. The Raumdeuter he was never just a provider, but a killer in front of the goal. He was showing signs of graduating from Jupp Heynckes’ mini-management and during Flick’s first season, and now he is finally in full swing. His production this season was nothing short of incredible – perhaps justifying further analysis (stay tuned).

Marc Roca has better depth than Tolisso

Starting for the first time in the Bundesliga, Marc Roca, 24, has shown that he can be a valuable piece of depth for Bayern Munich this season. Playing a deeper role in midfield, he allowed Joshua Kimmich to take on the role of box-to-box or # 8, which was a good setup, considering all aspects.

The Spaniard kept his distribution fast and organized and was a solid presence in front of the back. If there is any criticism to be made, it is the fact that his pressure could have been a little more aggressive, and he should have positioned himself a little better at times.

Regardless of these small problems, if Flick is still trying to decide what his hierarchy should be in midfield, it is clear that Roca must be ahead of Tolisso at the moment.

Bayern defense reveals worrying new weakness

Let’s keep this short – Bayern Munich has never been weak for crosses, but it is suddenly becoming a problem. Whenever Hoffenheim managed to beat Benjamin Pavard or Alphonso Davies on the side, all they had to do was send into the box and the result was a dangerous shot against Bayern’s goal.

Manuel Neuer once again had to make an insane heroism to keep the score low, but it was not enough for a clean goal. Take a look at the xG map – Bayern and Hoffenheim were balanced, and the vast majority of the opponent’s xG came from the area between the defenders.

This is not a beautiful xG map if you are a Bayern fan, and it looks like a new headache for Flick to solve. Jerome Boateng and David Alaba basically let anyone wander between them without an appointment – only Kramaric managed to convert. Next time, Bayern will not be so lucky.

Serge Gnabry breaks his drought of goals, and it must be better from here

Gnabry has had a difficult season so far. Deprived of his annual pilgrimage to London, the poor man had not scored a goal in the Bundesliga since October. However, things are improving for the sideline, as he finally broke the drought and made a great game on top.

There are times when goals can be deceiving – a lucky goal sometimes masks a poor performance. This was not one of those moments. Gnabry was involved in Bayern’s attack throughout the game, pressing hard, winning the ball and becoming a constant threat to Hoffenheim’s defenders. Their passes were incisive, the runs well timed. It was a complete performance, with the goal being the icing on the cake – and fortunately for Gnabs, it is the third time in a row that he has managed a game like this.

Although Gnabry has no goals and assists this season, he has never been more involved than in these few games. The goal was honestly late. As long as he stays that way, he doesn’t have to worry about his stats – goal contributions are inevitable as long as he does everything else right.