Lewandowski saved Bayern from defeat, scoring a last-minute equaliser. Image: Getty Images
Bayern were extremely lucky to emerge with a point, escaping from the clutches of defeat with a ninety-seventh minute goal from Robert Lewandowski.
5. Don’t Get Too Excited
Just coming off an incredible 5-1 rout against Arsenal in the Champions League, Bayern fans had plenty of reasons to be ecstatic, but this win might nudge them slightly off the podium. While this is not an indication that Bayern will not win the Champions League, it serves as a reminder that Bayern are not invincible and that they still have a long road ahead of them if they wish to raise that trophy in Cardiff.
This is not to say that Bayern played poorly. But the fans’ expectations were certainly lowered after a slightly disappointing result in Berlin. Nevertheless, Bayern look as though they have the title locked up, and they can now direct their focus to the Champions League.
4. Possession isn’t Everything
Bayern had the ball for seventy-one percent of the time, but they failed to make it count until the last minute. They completed more than three times the passes of their opponents and had five more shots on target. Bayern did not seem like the team that routed Arsenal just a couple days back, and they struggled to find space past Hertha’s defense.
Lewandowski pulled a rabbit out of his hat in the end, and he is the one to thank for what otherwise was a pretty lackluster performance by Bayern.
3. Never Count Bayern Out
Bayern seemed done and dusted, Hertha looking as though they would be able to close out the win, but the league leaders proved that they would not go down without a fight. In a miraculous last-minute goal scene, Lewandowski poked the ball into the net after it rebounded off the keeper.
This is not the first time this has happened. In fact, Bayern have scored four last minute/injury time goals in their last five games.
The first came against Weder Bremen when fullback David Alaba curled a beautiful free kick into the top right corner in the forty-fifth minute. The goal would prove to be the game winner as Bayern emerged victorious in a 2-1 win.
The second and third came against Ingolstadt, Vidal and Robben both scoring in the last five minutes of the game. Just minutes after Vidal took the lead in the ninetieth minute, Robben added on, driving the ball past the keeper. Ingolstadt looked schocked as Bayern took home another crucial win.
Future opponents should be wary of the final minutes; Bayern are lethal.
2. Hertha are Improving
Just two seasons after a dismal fifteenth place finish in the Bundesliga, Hertha have gotten things together and look to improve on last year’s seventh place. They currently sit in sixth place, the final spot for European qualification. That could change however, if FC Koln were to win their game.
Ibisevic got the hosts off to a good start when he put the ball past Manuel Neuer after an excellent Plattenhardt delivery. Hertha looked solid all around, and their defensive organization was impressive. They kept Bayern out for the majority of the game, and they were unlucky to only come out with the sole point.
1. Lewandowski is Clinical
The goal takes Lewandowski up to sixteen goals, the second most in the league after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Polish forward has been incredible for the Bavarian side since he joined them off a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund must be kicking themselves after that one, but they seem to have found another excellent forward in Aubameyang.
Lewandowski has scored ninety-two goals and delivered twenty-five assists since arriving in Munich, guiding Bayern to two successive league titles. While Lewandowski has not yet won a Champions League final — his former club, Dortmund, lost to his current club, Bayern, in the only final he has been to — he certainly has the potential to bring home the trophy with his club.
Hertha XI: Jarstein 6; Pekarik 5.5, Langkamp 6.5, Brooks 6.5, Plattenhardt 7; Haraguchi 6 (Lustenberger 90+’), Skjlebred 5.5, Stark 6.5 , Darida 5, Kalou 5.5 (Mittelstadt 90+’); Ibisevic 7 (Esswein 87′, 6)
Unused Subs: Kraft, Torunarigha, Stocker, Allagui
Bayern XI: Neuer 6, Lahm 6.5, Hummels 6.5, Alaba 6, Bernat 5.5 (Coman 77′, 6); Kimmich 6 (Lewandowski 61′, 6.5), Vidal 5.5 (Alonso 61′, 5.5), Robben 5.5, Thiago 5.5, Costa 5; Muller 5
Unused Subs: Ulreich, Rafinha, Martinez, Sanches
Referee: Patrick Ittrich
Other Bundesliga Results Today:
Eintracht vs Ingolstadt 0-2
Dortmund vs Wolfsburg 3-0
Hamburger vs Freiburg 2-2
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
