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In the first Bundesliga match of the season, defending champions Bayern Munich failed to make a bright start after drawing 2-2 against Hertha Berlin.
Bayern were dominant in the first 30 minutes of the game as they had the majority of possession and piled pressure on Hertha. Thomas Muller nearly put his side in the lead in the 7th minute after his right-footed shot whistled past the post. Eventually the Bavarian side’s labours paid dividends when Robert Lewandowski poked the ball into the net in the 24th minute after a low cross from Serge Gnabry.
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The lead was not sustained for long as former Watford player Dodi Lukebakio’s powerful shot bounced off the back of Hertha captain Vedad Ibisevic to level the score in the 36th minute. In just 3 minutes, Hertha Berlin scored again after Ibisevic played a deft lob pass to Marko Grujic, on loan from Liverpool, who rounded Bayern’s Manuel Neuer to give Hertha an unexpected lead.
The second half was less eventful until Lewandowski was given a golden opportunity to score his second goal after VAR spotted the striker being wrestled down to the ground by Grujic. The Poland international converted the spot kick with ease.
In the end, Hertha were able to hold out for a draw despite constant bombardment from Bayern players, hungry for a winner, as the match ended 2-2. Let us look at three players who performed well for Bayern in the opening Bundesliga match of the season:
#3 Corentin Tolisso
After playing the first 4 matches last season, Corentin Tolisso ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee, which ruled him out for the rest of the 2018-19 season. He certainly would have wanted to prove himself this season after such a long time on the sidelines. Bayern manager Niko Kovac gave him an opportunity and he took it with aplomb.
Tolisso was the box-to-box midfielder with Thomas Muller alongside him and Thiago sitting in front of the back four. He was effective in both defence and attack. With regards to defence, he closed down several of Hertha’s players in order to win the ball back for Bayern. For instance, he raced down the pitch and not only managed to retain the ball from Lukebakio but also started an attack of his own.
He linked up well on the left-hand side with Kingsley Coman and David Alaba, essentially forming a triangle of passing between three players which the Hertha players found difficult to break down. This connection allowed Coman and Alaba to put crosses into the box for Bayern players to attack.
Overall, it was an encouraging performance from the Frenchman and hopefully fans will get to see more of him this season.
#2 Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski demonstrated, why he is considered as one of the most lethal strikers in the world after he scored a brace for Bayern.
All attributes of a good center-forward were on display as he kept the ball well, drove forward with aggression and played the ball to the two wingers Coman and Gnabry to add some width to the side. His first goal was world-class as he initiated an attack in his own half and made a lung-busting run into the box to get on the end of Gnabry’s cross.
The second goal was also his own creation when he was pulled down in the box by Grujic in the 60th minute and gained a penalty. The Pole scored the spot-kick by wrong-footing the goalkeeper with his renowned stuttered run-up. The manner in which Lewandowski won the penalty shows that it was almost impossible for defenders to mark him because his clever movement allowed him to evade any opposition.
Overall, it was a classic performance for the no.9 who rescued a point for his side.
#1 Serge Gnabry
Last season was a personal best for Serge Gnabry as he scored a career high of 13 goals and was given the Bayern Munich Player of the Season award for his efforts. He continued this outstanding form with an inspired performance.
He was a constant threat on the right hand side, using his pace and dribbling skills to leave Hertha players in their wake. In one passage of play, Gnabry drew a foul from Grujic after he humiliated the Serbian with a nutmeg. This proves the confidence of the 24 year old and shows the immense strides he is making in his career.
The most important attribute of a winger is their end product, regardless of speed and trickery. The German winger displayed this characteristic perfectly as many of his through balls put Bayern in dangerous positions and most of his crosses reached a red shirt. The most crucial cross led to Lewandowski’s opener, when he made an exciting run on the right hand side and picked up the striker’s run into the box with a low drive.
All in all, it was a performance worthy of the man-of-the-match award. Gnabry continues to prove to his manager that he should be one of the first names on the team sheet.
