The new year starts slowly but successfully: FC Bayern Munich defeated TSG Hoffenheim at the start. Jamal Musiala and Manuel Neuer were the decisive players in the 3-0 (1-0) win on Friday (January 12, 2024).
Before the Bundesliga year 2024 began, the game faded into the background for a moment. Franz Beckenbauer, who died last Sunday (January 7th, 2024), was remembered before kick-off. There was a minute’s silence, FC Bayern ran in a special jersey with the inscription “Thank you Franz” and the players previously wore a red tracksuit with the number five of the “Kaiser”. Both teams ran in to the Beckenbauer song “Nobody can split good friends“.
Musiala with the first goal of the year
But then the Munich team began their mission to put Christmas champions Bayer Leverkusen under pressure. With a win, FC Bayern, who still have a catch-up game against Union Berlin (January 24th), were able to get within one point before coach Xabi Alonso’s “Werkself” lost the half-time championship at FC Augsburg on Saturday (January 13th, 2024). Roof and compartment can bring.
However, Bayern needed a certain amount of warm-up time to show that they wanted to turn things around in the second half of the season and attack their twelfth championship title. Although coach Thomas Tuchel’s team put a lot of pressure on and often fought for the ball in promising positions, they were too imprecise themselves. But then Hoffenheim didn’t pay attention to a short corner kick: Leroy Sané passed through to Jamal Musiala, who slammed the ball onto the inside post from an acute angle to make it 1-0 (18th). However, TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann didn’t look good during the action.
For a long time it was the record champions’ only finish. It was only after 36 minutes that Harry Kane scored the second attempt with a harmless long-range shot that flew in the direction of the Hoffenheim goal. The guests, on the other hand, had several half-chances after counterattacks, but lacked the precision to seriously put Manuel Neuer in trouble. And so Bayern’s narrow lead remained in a half with few highlights.
Sportschau, January 12, 2024 11:24 p.m
Bayern in bad luck and then in trouble
The record champions also had a hard time in the second half, but then briefly pressed for the second goal. Hoffenheim repeatedly made mistakes in possession and Musiala almost punished one of them – but the national player only hit the post from 20 meters (58th). A little later, Baumann had to save against Konrad Laimer and then also defuse a long-range shot from Alphonso Davies (60th).
But then Neuer had to prove his class and magician qualities in his 500th competitive game for FC Bayern. Maximilian Beier beat Kane in the air five meters in front of the FCB goal, but the goalkeeper deflected the ball around the post with a great reflex (63′). A few moments later, Neuer, like a handball goalkeeper, won a one-on-one situation against Andrej Kramaric (64th). With the next great chance, the 37-year-old was beaten, but Beier only hit the crossbar (65th).
Second magical Musiala moment
Bayern faltered, but didn’t fall, especially thanks to Neuer – and ultimately won the game thanks to Musiala. The offensive player in the 70th minute with a great dribble, then a cross pass to Sané, who set up for the 20-year-old again – and he crowned a strong performance with his second goal. Sané on Musiala, the combination of the opening goal also ensured the preliminary decision.
Sportschau, January 12, 2024 11:19 p.m
The game was finally decided four minutes later. Grischa Prömel, who had already been warned, stepped on Mathys Tel’s foot and was sent off with a yellow-red card (74′). As a result, Bayern, who were generally lackluster, still had a few opportunities, but they didn’t necessarily play for a 3-0 win. This was achieved in stoppage time with Kane’s 22nd goal of the season (90+1).
TSG against Freiburg, Bayern at Werder
The Sinsheimers will travel to Freiburg next matchday (Saturday, January 20, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). FC Bayern, who will now complete a training camp in Portugal (January 14th to 18th), will be in Bremen a day later (3:30 p.m.).
