On match day 28 of the Bundesliga, FC Bayern Munich did not get beyond a sobering 1-1 draw against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The Munich team missed the chance to extend their lead over Borussia Dortmund at the top of the table.
Benjamin Pavard’s opening goal (17th minute) in the early stages could have calmed the nerves of the record champions after a turbulent week. But on Saturday (April 15, 2023), the Munich side let themselves be thrown off course by courageous guests from Hoffenheim after the change of sides.
Andrej Kramaric equalized (71st) with a remarkable free kick. “We tried to react afterwards, but fragments remained. It’s a disappointment for us and for me,” said Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel.
Seconds after Kramaric’s goal, Pavard celebrated his supposed brace, but the Frenchman’s goal was ruled out by VAR for being narrowly offside.
Bayern not convincing before second leg against Manchester City
With the draw, Munich missed out on more self-confidence for the second leg of the Champions League against Manchester City to pick up next Wednesday. Coach Tuchel’s team needs a significant improvement in performance to perform the miracle they had hoped for after the bitter 3-0 loss in the first leg against City.
Despite the upcoming second leg, Tuchel decided not to rotate and only changed his team two positions compared to the game during the week. Joao Cancelo started on the left flank in place of Alphonso Davies, and captain Thomas Müller also returned to the starting eleven for Jamal Musiala, who was unlucky against City.
The Munich team found it difficult to get their game flowing against the deep Hoffenheim team. Longer phases of possession were mostly limited to the own half, a first attempt from distance by Pavard (5th) sailed over the goal.
Pavard quick as a thought for the Munich tour
However, it only became really dangerous after about 15 minutes. After a well-played counterattack, Serge Gnabry, who again stood in for the injured Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting up front, finished from a tight angle. The following corner then brought the lead. Hoffenheim was able to clarify at first, but then Kingsley Coman’s failed shot fell at Pavard’s feet, who toeed the ball through the legs of TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann into the goal.
The game hardly changed from then on, in fact Hoffenheim turned out to be a grateful opponent for Bayern who looked tired. The Kraichgauers didn’t pose any significant problems for Munich’s defensive team, which was partially insecure against City, while at the same time Bayern found it difficult to get into dangerous zones against Hoffenheim, who were still very defensive.
Hoffenheim braver after the change of sides
That changed in the second half. Hoffenheim now dared to go further forward in search of an equaliser, which opened up new space for Bayern Munich. Among other things, Baumann had to intervene in a low shot by Coman (46th). But Hoffenheim also came dangerously in front of the Munich goal again and again, but both Angelino and Angelo Stiller (55th) aimed wide of the goal.
Kramaric did better with his free kick, Bayern keeper Yann Sommer still had his fingertips on it, but had no way of defending against the shot that was perfectly curled into the corner. “After half-time we brought a completely different energy onto the pitch and deservedly scored the equaliser.”said Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo.
The supposed renewed Bayern leadership by Pavard (73rd) was collected by the video referee because of an offside position. In the hectic final phase, Munich pressed, but missed the liberating blow.
FC Bayern facing a mammoth task against City
At FC Bayern, the focus before the game was on next Wednesday and the Champions League showdown against City, where the Munich team want to avert the impending quarter-finals in their own stadium.
In the Bundesliga, FC Bayern will be visiting Mainz next Saturday (3:30 p.m.). Hoffenheim welcomes 1. FC Köln at the same time.