Bayern Munich started the new year with a convincing win over Hoffenheim, thanks to a brilliant performance by Jamal Musiala and a goal from Harry Kane. The champions closed the gap on leaders Bayer Leverkusen to just one point, as the Bundesliga returned from its winter break.
The match was preceded by emotional tributes to Franz Beckenbauer, the former Bayern player and manager who died earlier this month. The Allianz Arena observed a minute of silence and displayed a giant banner with the legend’s face and the words “Danke, Kaiser”.
The visitors made a bright start, but failed to take their chances, as Maximilian Beier and Andrej Kramaric fired off target. Bayern took the lead in the 27th minute, when Musiala’s powerful shot from a tight angle beat Oliver Baumann at his near post.
The hosts turned on the style in the second half, as Musiala hit the post and Oliver Baumann made a superb save from Konrad Laimer. Manuel Neuer also showed his class, making two magnificent saves from Beier and Kramaric, before Beier hit the bar from close range.
Bayern made them pay for their wastefulness, as Musiala doubled the lead in the 64th minute, turning in Raphael Guerreiro’s low cross. Hoffenheim’s hopes of a comeback were dashed when Grischa Promel was sent off for a second yellow card, following a bad tackle on Mathys Tel.
Harry Kane then added the third goal in the 82nd minute, scoring his 22nd goal in 16 Bundesliga games, and equalling Robert Lewandowski’s record for the most goals in the first half of a Bundesliga season. The England captain has been in sensational form since joining Bayern from Tottenham last summer, and has formed a lethal partnership with Musiala.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have now won six of their last seven league games, and are breathing down the necks of Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, who play Mainz on Saturday. Hoffenheim, meanwhile, remain in 12th place, and have lost four of their last five league games.
Sources: Eurosport, Sky Sports, MSN
According to the latest Bundesliga standings1, Bayern Munich is in second place with 41 points, just one point behind the leaders Bayer Leverkusen. Bayern Munich has played 16 games, won 13, drawn 2, and lost 1. They have scored 52 goals and conceded 15, giving them a goal difference of +37.