Bayern Munich break Hertha Berlin's resistance to take three points and top spot
Looking to capitalise on Borussia Dortmund’s dropped points at Bochum on Friday night, Bayern were predictably dominant against their struggling opponents in the early stages.
Much of the danger came from full-backs Noussair Mazraoui and Joao Cancelo, but the home side failed to turn possession in central areas into consistent chances throughout a frustrating first half.
Oftentimes camped out in their own box, it was only when Hertha won an upfield free-kick that Bayern were granted the opportunity to break away. Yann Sommer collected the set piece and initiated a rapid counter which resulted in Kingsley Coman being felled in the area, but referee Patrick Ittrich waved away any appeals from the Bayern bench.
Opportunities started to become easier to come by for the home side, but two excellent saves from Oliver Christensen, including a reflex stop to keep out Serge Gnabry’s volley, ensured Hertha would cling onto parity into the break.
Sitting bottom of the table with a six-point margin to safety, Pal Dardai was brought in for a third spell in charge to change Hertha’s fortunes, and the Hungarian looked to have stamped his authority on the side as they were ruthlessly organised and defended valiantly.
Bayern were awarded a number of corners in the minutes after the interval, but wayward headers coupled with the tenacity of the likes of Filip Uremovic kept it goalless.
The Bundesliga champions are specialists in this situation though, and they were afforded a breakthrough when Kimmich showed great vision to loop a ball over to Gnabry, who gave Christensen no chance with a diving header.
It was always going to be easier for Bayern once they had taken the lead, and a second followed from another searching Kimmich pass soon afterwards.
Coman brought it down brilliantly and slotted it through the legs of the Hertha goalkeeper, making sure that his side’s tenure at the apex of the Bundesliga table was reinstated once more.
Hertha, meanwhile, would never have counted on this matchup for points, but they now have just four games to complete what would be an unlikely drive to safety.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern Munich)
