FIRST TEAM
11/02/2013

Bayern come back to beat TSG

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim failed to collect any points from their meeting with FC Bayern Munich, although they certainly deserved at least one. Niklas Süle put Gisdol's side in front from a corner, before a Ribéry free kick found the back of the TSG goal via a Mandzukic deflection. Hoffenheim threatened to retake the lead, mainly through Volland, but it was Müller who proved to be the match winner, ensuring a 2-1 victory for Pep Guardiola's team.

With spectacles involving Hoffenheim coming week after week, many were expecting another on matchday 11, especially considering that Bayern and TSG were the only Bundesliga sides to have scored in every single game this season. One of the reasons behind that Hoffenheim firepower, Kevin Volland, was back in Markus Gisdol's line-up, having missed out against Hannover with adductor problems. Kai Herdling, who replaced him last week and grabbed his first Bundesliga goal, kept his spot to form the attacking trio behind Anthony Modeste alongside Roberto Firmino. Tobias Strobl was also passed fit for the game, meaning Sejad Salihovic could act as the emergency left back.

The first half an hour was a very promising one for Hoffenheim, especially considering that the score was still 0-0 at the end of it. The defending champions had seen little of Koen Casteels' goal as well, with the only real save for the Belgium international a strong palm on a testing shot by Thomas Müller. Nevertheless, TSG were by no means second best. Gisdol's men had played solid counterattacking football and almost got through to test Manuel Neuer on multiple occasions. However, each time the Bayern defence recovered to make the tackle, but one of them led to a decisive corner. Herdling's delivery was spilled by Neuer, and youngster Niklas Süle pounced to put Hoffenheim 1-0 in front.

Belief sapped

TSG were full of confidence and almost doubled their lead minutes later. Volland cut onto his dangerous left foot and powered a strike towards the top corner, only to be denied by the outstretched palm of Germany international Neuer. Unfortunately, it was a save that pushed the away side on. 60 seconds later, Bayern won a free kick just outside the penalty area, although it was a slice of luck rather than a stroke of genius that brought them level. Franck Ribéry looked to curl it round the wall and the ball took a clinical deflection off Mandzukic before nestling in the bottom corner. It was a bitter blow before the break, but TSG came out in the second half full of intent. A delightful lifted through ball allowed Volland a chance on the volley, but the Germany U21s forward couldn't hit through the ball enough and his effort cleared the bar.

Kevin Volland seemed to be at the heart of every Hoffenheim attack and would have put his side back in front if not for a great stop by Manuel Neuer. FC Bayern's keeper got down low to scoop away yet another one of those left-footed strikes. Yet for all their attacking strength, Hoffenheim were let down at the back as FCB grabbed the winning goal 15 minutes from time. TSG just needed a defender to put their foot through the ball to clear as the red shirts applied pressure inside the penalty area. Andi Beck was bullied off the ball by Javi Martinez, who in turn fed Ribéry, who then set up an easy finish for Thomas Müller. It was enough to sap the energy and belief out of Markus Gisdol's men, who looked extremely tired towards the end. However, for all their hard work, there was nothing to take away from today's game besides pride from a good performance – something they can aim to take into next week's meeting with Hertha Berlin.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Casteels – Beck, Abraham, Süle, Salihovic – Rudy (87' Vestergaard), Strobl – Volland, Herdling (78' Elyounoussi), Firmino – Modeste (81' Schipplock)

FC Bayern Munich: Neuer – Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba – Martinez – Müller, Götze (80' Rafinha), Schweinsteiger, Ribéry – Mandzukic (64' Kroos)

Goals: 1-0 Süle (34'), 1-1 Mandzukic (39'), 1-2 Müller (75')

Yellow cards: Abraham, Rudy

Referee: Tobias Welz

Attendance: 30,150

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