Just over six thousand fans were socially distant at the Pre-Zero Arena as Hoffenheim ended Bayern Munich’s 32-game unbeaten run with a stunning 4-1 victory.
The lucky crowd in the stadium erupted when Hoffenheim’s Erman Beckic craned his neck to head in the opener 16 minutes into the match. The hosts doubled their lead eight minutes later when Monas Duber chipped Manuel Neuer cleanly.
Manas Duber celebrates Hoffenheim’s second goal inside the opening 25 minutes / Christian Kasper Bartke / Getty Images
Joshua Kimmich pulled one back for Bayern ten minutes before half-time, but the Bavarian behemoths couldn’t put an end to it. Hoffenheim talisman Andrej Kramaric made it 3-1 in the final 15 minutes, before adding another from the penalty spot in injury time to take his season tally to seven after just three games.
Not only was it Bayern’s first defeat of 2020, it ended their run of 23 consecutive wins in all competitions.
Jerome Boateng and Bayern’s defense endured a testing afternoon against Hoffenheim / Daniel Rowland / Getty Images
Manuel Neuer (GK) – 4/10 – The Bayern captain was left with little chance of any of Hoffenheim’s first three goals and it was too late when Ihlas Bebo beat him to the ball inside the box late in the game, conceding a penalty.
Benjamin Pavard (RB) – 5/10 – Inadvertently flicked the ball right into Dabur’s path to leave his teammates chasing the Israel international in vain. Pinned back for most of the match and subbed before the hour mark.
Jerome Boateng (CB) – 3/10 – They started the match with some nervous moments which continued as Hoffenheim repeatedly tested Bayern’s famous high line, with considerable success. The subject of cheers from the fans throughout the match, Boateng looked worried.
David Alaba (CB) – 4/10 – Now firmly unstuck in the centre-back role, Alaba struggled with Boateng constantly darting in behind Hoffenheim.
Alphonso Davis (LB) – 4/10 – After some shaky touches on his first start of the season, Davies could only turn Becacic’s header into the roof of the net. The normally buccaneering Canada international spent more time looking over his shoulder than joining Bayern’s attacks.
Joshua Kimmich (L) and Thomas Muller scored Bayern’s first goal on Sunday
Joshua Kimmich (CM) – 6/10 – Moved towards the base of Bayern’s midfield, looking for possession but was sent off as Hoffenheim took an unashamedly strong approach to the match. After discovering a pocket of space away from the men in blue, Kimmich curled a pinpoint curling effort over the bar to make it 2-1. After moving to right-back in the second half, his influence waned.
Corentin Tolisso (CM) – 4/10 – Pivoting around Kimmich, Tolisso struggled to get on the ball and influence the game.
Thomas Muller (AM) – 6/10 – Floated around the pitch with his usual nomadic menace, driving forward and probing Hoffenheim’s backline. Muller prepared Kimmich for Bayern’s first game and he looked like one of Die Rotten’s few threats.
Leroy Sané could not replicate his impressive debut display from last weekend / Christian Kasper Bartke / Getty Images
Leroy Sane (RW) – 6/10 – In the build-up to Kimmich’s goal, Sané’s flashy Bicakcic was so charming – the man tasked with marking him – his knee was jarred and forced off. Yet, apart from that dash and a flurry of blocked efforts, Sané failed to come close to the electrifying start he had last week in Bayern colours.
Joshua Zarkezi (ST) – 4/10 – In his fourth career Bundesliga start, Zerkezi played a minimal part in the first half. However, he curled a narrow-angle effort over the bar shortly before being subbed for Robert Lewandowski on the hour mark.
Serge Gnabry (LW) – 4/10 – After starting the season in red-hot form, it wasn’t Gnabry’s day at home to his former club, regularly taking possession and creating little.
Robert Lewandowski received the same harsh treatment as his teammate after coming on in the second half.
Robert Lewandowski (ST) – 4/10
Leon Goretzka (CM) – 5/10
Kingsley Coman (LW) – 4/10
Jamal Musa (LW) – 5/10