Bayern Munich ended Hertha Berlin’s unbeaten start to the season with a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern were fast out of the blocks and really should have had the lead within the first few minutes through either Robert Lewandowski or Thomas Müller. The former’s header was tipped over by Rune Jarstein after Arturo Vidal had headed Thiago’s cross across the face of goal, before Müller slashed a left-footed effort wide of the goal with just the Norwegian goalkeeper to beat.
However, Bayern were pressing, and after Spanish duo Thiago and Javi Martínez had efforts saved from Jarstein and Marvin Plattenhardt off the line respectively, the home side finally took the lead through Franck Ribéry. The Frenchman twisted and turned inside the area, evading the sliding challenge of Peter Pekarík, before just managing to squeeze the ball under Jarstein and over the line.
Ten minutes later the 33-year-old could have had another, but he dragged his shot wide after he had been set up by Müller following a Lewandowski cross from the left. Just before the break, if they hadn’t already, Bayern were left wondering how they hadn’t extended their lead.
Vidal’s delightful angled pass combined with Lewandowski’s well-timed run left the Pole one-on-one with Jarstein, but his lob went just wide and a little too high. The only threat the visitors posed throughout the half was through a free-kick from ex-Bayern midfielder Mitchell Weiser, which only had Manuel Neuer worried for a second.
However, Hertha would create a more significant chance in the second half through substitute Valentin Stocker who, one minute after coming on, had a left-footed drive beaten away by Neuer. However, it was the Bayern changes that received the warm applause. Jérôme Boateng was replaced by Mats Hummels after making his first start of the season, before Arjen Robben made his first appearance for 200 days by replacing Müller.
Four minutes later, Bayern eventually did double their advantage. Allan, on loan from Liverpool, was eased off the ball by Thiago deep in Hertha’s half, before the Spaniard calmly finished beyond Jarstein. With just under twenty minutes to go, Bayern sealed their victory, with most of the Bayern faithful delighted to see Robben score on his comeback.
Once again the visitors lost the ball in dangerous territory, which ended up with Thiago playing it to Robben, who cut inside before seeing his deflected effort beat Jarstein to seal an emphatic victory and confirm their status as the only unbeaten side left in the Bundesliga this season.
