A Robert Lewandowski double ensured Bayern sealed a place in the DFB Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling 4-3 home win over Hoffenheim on Wednesday night.
The Polish striker bagged a brace as the Bavarians continued their quest to land their 20th DFB title in a goal-laden affair at the Allianz Arena.
Die Roten were forced to survive an early scare as Ihlas Bebou’s shot ricocheted off Boateng to give the visitors a shock lead.
But Bayern were soon back level, Alphonso Davies darted down the left and his cross was inadvertently turned home by Hoffenheim’s Hübner, under pressure from Thomas Müller.
Müller tried to claim the first, but on 20 minutes there was no denying him, a wonderfully whipped ball from David Alaba was expertly dispatched by the German forward. Then ten minutes before the interval, it was three. Alaba dinked a ball over the top, keeper Phillipp Pentke was rash coming off his line and Lewandowski headed into an empty net.
Bayern were guilty of lacklustre finishing after the break, but Lewandowski headed home from a Joshua Kimmich corner with 10 minutes remaining. It appeared done and dusted but a double from substitute Moanes Dabour set up a nervy finish for the hosts, however Hans Dieter Flick’s men held on to secure a place in the last eight.
Bayern Munich
Key Talking Point
No team had ever beaten Bayern twice at home in the same season but Hoffenheim had the chance to achieve that feat, following their 2-1 away league win over the Bavarians in October.
It was a chance to make history for the visiting side and they more than gave it a go, pushing Bayern right to the wire in an end to end contest.
Bebou’s early strike stunned all inside the Allianz Arena and from that point on it was a night of high drama as a thrilling game ensued.
At times during the first half, it appeared every Bayern foray forward would lead to a goal for the hosts, or at least a sizeable chance, such was the ferocity of their attacks.
In the second half complacency may have crept in, as easy chances were missed and Hoffenheim sensed an opportunity for the most unlikely of upsets.
But, it wasn’t to be Bayern march on to the quarter-finals with their record intact…but only just.
It’s safe to say that Hans Dieter Flick has put his stamp on Die Roten and has rejuvenated a side that during the Nico Kovac era was devoid of excitement.
Flick’s Bayern definitely can’t be accused of boring.
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Neuer (6); Pavard (6), Alaba (7), Boateng (6), Davies (8*); Kimmich (7), Tolisso (7); Gnabry (7), Coutinho (6), Müller (8); Lewandowski (7).
Substitutes: Zirkzee (7), Cuisance (6), Odriozola (N/A).
Alphonso Davies
Not for the first time this season, the Canadian teenager dazzled the Allianz with a display teeming with youthful exuberance and energy.
It was his perfectly timed run that set up Bayern’s equaliser and he was a constant threat down the visitor’s right flank all night.
The teenager’s fleet-footedness allowed him to skip tackles and work his way out of tight spaces.
On more than one occasion, he took on the guise of a ballet dancer such was the way he tiptoed his way through the opposition in the final third.
His attacking prowess has never been in question but he was also impressive in his defensive duties, tracking his runners and taking up good positions in the full-back position.
This game was yet another example of the exciting talent that Bayern have on their hands.
Hoffenheim
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Pentke (5); Nordveit (6), Akpoguma (6), Hübner (5); Kadeřábek (6), Rudy (7), Grillitsch (7), Zuber (7); Bebou, (7) Larsen (7), Kramarić (7).
Substitutes: Dabour (7*), Ribiero (6), Baumgartner (7).
Looking Ahead
Bayern Munich have a mouth-watering league encounter at the weekend as the Bundesliga leaders welcome the visit of second-placed RB Leipzig to the Allianz on Sunday.
The Bavarians recently dethroned Leipzig of top spot and only a point splits the sides going into the weekend.
While Hoffenheim also have an intriguing match up in-store when they travel to Freiburg on Saturday in a game which pits seventh versus eighth in the league.