Thanks to double packer Jamal Musiala, FC Bayern sent their emperor on his “final journey” to football heaven with the hoped-for victory. Five days after the death of icon Franz Beckenbauer, the Munich team defeated TSG Hoffenheim 3-0 (1-0) and pushed grief into the background for a few moments.
Nevertheless, the evening, which was largely in a minor key, was all about the greatest German footballer, who was buried on the day of the match in the immediate family circle. Beckenbauer was omnipresent in the freezer Allianz Arena at -8 degrees – and not just because his hit “Good Friends” was played at the Munich gates.
“Today was also about Franz Beckenbauer, so about the joy of life, of football, of winning together – and about not taking the whole thing too seriously. Franz was a good role model,” said Thomas Müller on “Sat. 1”: “Even though I’m personally too young to have much contact with him. I was able to learn a lot from him.”
Young star Musiala (18th/70th) was the outstanding player, and not just because of his two goals. The national player was full of wit and also hit the post (58th). Harry Kane (90th) put the finishing touches, with his 22nd goal of the season he equaled Robert Lewandowski’s Bundesliga first half record from the 2020/21 season. “That was a great game. I had a lot of fun,” said Musiala on the streaming service “DAZN”.
“He was our absolute best player,” praised coach Thomas Tuchel Musiala. His conclusion to the game was more sobering: “It wasn’t a treat, I would say. In the end it’s 3-0. Job done.”
With the success, the defending champions moved, at least temporarily, within one point of league leaders Leverkusen, who will play in Augsburg on Saturday. The Hoffenheim national player Grischa Prömel saw yellow-red (74th, repeated foul play).
FC Bayern: Hoffenheim game all about Franz Beckenbauer
Before kick-off, everything revolved around the Kaiser: the words “Thank you Franz,” which was also emblazoned on Bayern’s jerseys, shone again in the arena. The stars warmed up with his legendary number 5 and wore mourning ribbon, while many of the emperor’s companions looked on.
But when the ball rolled, normality returned for the time being. The black mourning banner in front of the south curve (“The shining figure is going on its final journey – rest in peace, Emperor!”) was replaced by one against the DFL investors, the Bayern fans were silent for twelve minutes in protest.
Their team, in which Raphael Guerreiro surprisingly played instead of Leon Goretzka, started lethargically. Tuchel felt compelled early on to encourage them to wave wildly. But against the visitors’ defensive five-man chain, in which Stanley N’Soki replaced Kevin Vogt, who had left at short notice, it was hardly possible to get through.
It took a single action for us to take the lead: Musiala dribbled into the penalty area on the right and shot from a tight angle, the ball found the net over the left inside post. 75,000 spectators, minus those in the away block, sang blissfully and thought of “Franz” again.
Hoffenheim did not give up their destructive style of play and rarely found themselves in counterattack situations. Guerreiro (37th) left the score 2-0.
Neuer saves strongly
The record champions also needed some time to get going in the second half before Musiala was denied by the right post. Thomas Müller missed the follow-up shot. Konrad Laimer’s pass failed shortly afterwards when he was free (60′).
The second goal seemed only a matter of time when Bayern suddenly gave up the game. In his 500th competitive game for Munich, Manuel Neuer had to save against Maximilian Beier (63′), who hit the crossbar a short time later (65′).
A nice one-two between Leroy Sane and Musiala brought the preliminary decision. After Prömel was sent off for fouling Joker Mathys Tel, the game was over. The outstanding Musiala was celebrated with long applause when he was substituted (87th).