´This is our benchmark´ – Bayern set the standard against Hoffenheim, says Flick

Bayern Munich’s display in their 4-1 rout of Hoffenheim set the standard for the rest of the season, according to Hansi Flick.

Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller, Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry struck as Bayern cruised to a fourth straight Bundesliga victory – their second-longest winning run of the season after they won five games on the spin between matchweeks three and seven.

Munich have now scored 57 goals in the league this term, a club record after 19 games, while the only other side to have scored more after the same amount of fixtures was Hamburg in 1981-82 (58).

It lifted Bayern, briefly at least, 10 points clear at the top of the table, with the signs looking ominous for the rest of the league as the Bavarian giants chase down a ninth successive title.

“You are used to the fact that both teams want to play football. Hoffenheim has also shown that and created opportunities, especially in the first half,” Flick told Bayern’s official website. 

“It is a very good result. We have now won four games in a row – 12 points. We played a good game, that is our benchmark.

“Certainly not everything was great, but I’m satisfied. We wanted to get back on track after the two defeats. That’s what makes big teams. This is a good thing and gives you confidence.”

Legends of our time @esmuellert_ @Manuel_Neuer pic.twitter.com/Eip8JjaEAC

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 30, 2021

Lewandowski was typically integral to Bayern’s win, setting up Muller for his 10th Bundesliga goal of the season before the Poland star helped himself to a 24th top-flight strike of 2020-21 early in the second half, the most of any Bundesliga player in history after 19 games.

His strike partner Muller was also at his industrious best, with the 31-year-old having hit double figures in the league for the first time since 2015-16, when he scored 20.

“After four wins from four games you can say that we are on the right track,” Muller said.

“In large phases of the game, we repeatedly showed serious actions both in the front and in the back. If we pick up the pace, we often end up in good situations. 

“Of course we would have liked to not concede a goal. It was good and creative up front. We would have deserved one more goal.”

One player to miss Saturday’s win was Corentin Tolisso, who has been fined by Bayern after breaching the club’s coronavirus protocols in order to get a tattoo.

“We’re grateful that games can currently take place in the Bundesliga despite the ongoing coronavirus situation. A condition of that is that players, coaches and staff must adhere to the DFL’s hygiene concept in an exemplary manner,” said Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“Corentin Tolisso has now contravened these guidelines, although our sporting and medical leadership continuously and clearly communicate them. We won’t tolerate violations like this. We will therefore hand Corentin Tolisso a heavy fine, which will be donated to charity.”

Tolisso’s omission from the squad came after Leon Goretzka and Javi Martinez tested positive for COVID-19.