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[Friday 16/08/2019, 19:10, Leverkusen]
"And here they come! Bayern Munich, the reigning champions, taking their first steps toward what they hope will be another record-breaking season. Hertha Berlin, the challengers tonight, have an uphill battle ahead, but they've shown they can upset the odds."
Stewart Robson added, "It's a big night for Lukébakio and Grujić. If Hertha has any hope of walking away with points, those two need to be at their absolute best. But Bayern's firepower is just immense. Lewandowski, Müller, Gnabry—the list goes on." Their conversation continued as they introduced both teams line ups while the final pre-match proceedings concluded.
CM: 6 Thiago Alcântara
LM: 17 M. Mittelstädt
The referee's whistle pierced the air, signalling the start of the match. Lewandowski tapped the ball back to Thiago Alcântara, who immediately looked up, scanning the field for options. Bayern's intent was clear from the outset as they moved the ball crisply, their passes pinging across their ranks already trying to assert their dominance.
Within moments, Kimmich and Thiago orchestrated a triangle with Müller, probing Hertha's compact defence. Lewandowski darted into a pocket of space just outside the box, pulling Rekik out of position. Müller doing what he does best exploited the gap left behind, receiving a deft flick from Thiago. The crowd roared as Müller shaped to shoot, but his effort ricocheted off Stark's outstretched leg, the ball skimming just wide of the post.
"That was a close call!" Derek Rae exclaimed. "Hertha can't afford to leave gaps like that, especially with two foxes like Lewandowski and Müller trying to score a goal." Bayern's resulting corner was swung in with venom by Kimmich. Süle utilised his height well and towered over his marker as he rose to meet it but nodded the ball over the bar. A sigh of relief swept through the Hertha contingent in the stands.
Hertha clearly instructed to strike on the counter, found their rhythm after surviving Bayern's early barrage. Mittelstädt darted down the left flank, leaving Pavard scrambling as he whipped a dangerous cross into the box. Lukébakio, lurking at the far post, leapt high but was sandwiched between Süle and Alaba, who managed to clear the danger with a collective effort.
Hertha recycled possession quickly, with Grujić showcasing his physicality in midfield, shrugging off Tolisso before threading a perfectly weighted through ball to Lukébakio. The winger's pace burned past Pavard, and with Neuer rushing off his line, Lukébakio attempted a cheeky lob. However, his attempt agonizingly sailed over the bar, drawing gasps of disappointment from the neutral and Herther fans.
"That's the kind of threat Lukébakio brings," Stewart Robson observed. "Bayern's high line looks vulnerable already."
Bayern resumed their dominance, pinning Hertha back with relentless pressure. Gnabry especially showed out trying to show the fans why it was a good decision for the club to bring him on. Utilising his quick and nimble on the right wing, making his marker's life a nightmare as they struggled to adjust to his play style.
Receiving another chance after a strong pass from Kimmich he rounded his marker and immediately charged down the flank. Before he knew it, he was dancing past one, the two and a third defender before facing Mittelstädt who tracked him down. Not losing his drive though he faked a breakthrough down the wing before cutting in at a moment's notice. The left mid didn't have a chance to react as Gnabry unleashed a venomous strike.
Jarstein in between the sticks was forced to react at a moment's notice not at all expecting the sudden shot and he rose to the challenge. Stretching his hand to the max he dove to his near post parrying the ball brilliantly, but to his horror the ball rebounded to the feet of Lewandowski, who didn't need a second invitation. The Polish striker slammed the ball home from six yards out sending the net bulging before sprinting to the erupting sidelines.
A sea of red greeted him as Bayern fans erupted from their seats as he swaggered to a stop at the corner flag doing his Iconic fist-clenched celebrations, before being swamped by the rest of his teammates. "Robert Lewandowski, you cannot get any better than perfect," Derek Rae exclaimed following the striker's goal caught up in the moment.
"22 league goals, another prolific season, another new year starts with a goal from the poll Lewandowski again for Bayern," He continued speaking awakening the emotions from not just the Bayern fans but the wider Bundesliga viewers who tuned into the match. It was as if he was stating the fact they were watching someone truly special right in their own league.
Hertha was rocked by Bayern's opening goal, but they quickly regained composure, tightening their shape and focusing on keeping the ball moving. Duda, the creative spark in their midfield, attempted to orchestrate an attack, but Bayern's press was relentless. Thiago and Tolisso shadowed his every move, denying him space to dictate the tempo.
On the counter, Grujić launched a long ball forward, looking for Ibišević's hold-up play. The Bosnian striker, despite his age, showed his strength, shielding the ball from Süle before flicking it to Lukébakio. With a sudden burst of pace, the Belgian winger looked set to threaten Bayern's goal once more. But as he cut inside to line up a shot, Alaba's well-timed challenge halted him in his tracks. The Hertha fans groaned in frustration, knowing they were so close to a dangerous opportunity.
"That's the kind of defensive heroics the fans have gotten to expect from him," Stewart Robson noted as a replay of Alaba's well-timed tackle was showcased in the replay. "He is truly on top of his game, and he continues to get better by the years,"
"I agree as long as he is healthy that Bayern's defence takes on a whole new level," Derek noted before going into detail on some of his best features that make him such a superb defender. However, most viewers were focused on Bayern who immediately pushed forward again.
The ball was played to the right flank to the feet of Kimmich who played it wide Gnabry, sending him running down the flank. Sensing another opening, he shifted gears and whipped in a low cross into the box before Mittelstädt could close him down. Lewandowski was already anticipating the ball speering into the box almost getting a touch to the ball, but the ball was intercepted at the last second by Hertha's Rekik. Heartha's defence was really starting to feel the pressure mount as Bayern turned on the screws trying to capitalise on the momentum.
Bayern's pressure had been relentless, and Hertha was beginning to buckle under the weight of it. As the ball was cleared by Rekik, Bayern immediately regained possession in midfield. Thiago growing in his role as his team's orchestrator, distributed a short pass to Tolisso, who swept it wide to Kimmich. Kimmich's first touch was a thing of beauty, allowing him to control the ball as he shaped up for another potential delivery.
He didn't hesitate once he found an opening and swung in a cross that was met with an audacious clearance by Hertha's Klünter, sending it straight back to Bayern's midfield, where Tolisso and Thiago continued their intricate passing game. But Hertha's defence finally had an answer, stifling Bayern's every move in the final third. Yet, despite the pressure Bayern applied on their visitors, it was Hertha who would strike next.
Grujić, who had been quietly effective in midfield, pounced on a loose ball, intercepted from Müller's lazy pass in the middle of the park. Not even hesitating for a single second, he surged forward, catching Bayern's defence off-guard. He threaded a beautiful through ball to Lukébakio, who sprinted into space, unmarked by Alaba or Süle. The crowd held its breath as they watched the striker beat the offside trap.