Bayern maintain strong run with victory over Hertha

FC Bayern beat Hertha Berlin 1-0 on Friday evening, extending their lead in the Bundesliga table to ten points overnight and enjoying a successful dress rehearsal for the FIFA Club World Cup. Kingsley Coman scored the match-winner after 20 minutes of an entertaining match between two contrasting sides.

The German record champions started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Niklas Süle, David Alaba and Lucas Hernández in a back four. Joshua Kimmich anchored a midfield featuring Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller and Coman, with Robert Lewandowski up front. Douglas Costa, Corentin Tolisso and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting took over from Gnabry, Sané and Coman in the second half.

King breaks the deadlock

Hertha sprang a surprise and hit the ground running, and Bayern had to thank Neuer for keeping the scores level when Dodi Lukebakio ghosted past the rearguard but failed to beat the Bayern keeper. Sané tested Hertha netminder Rune Jarstein before Lucas Tousart nicked the ball off Gnabry's toes in the box. Bayern were awarded a penalty when Jarstein upended Sané, but the keeper denied Lewandowski. Krzysztof Piatek drew two saves from Neuer, but Bayern drew first blood when Coman beat Jarstein with the help of a deflection.

Coman almost bagged a brace but Jarstein made a strong save before the Frenchman saw another effort blocked. Bayern camped out in their opponents' half now but failed to create any openings of note. Neuer denied Lukebakio before Lewandowski miscued a header from distance and Coman fired wide, and the sides turned round with Bayern a goal up.

No further goals

Gnabry drew a save from Jarstein and Lewandowski headed wide. The men from the capital had the ball in the back of the net, but Nemanja Radonjic' goal did not count as Lukebakio was offside. Hertha upped the ante now, Neuer denying Mattéo Guendouzi.

Lewandowski drew a save from Jarstein and saw another effort blocked, Neuer comfortably saving from Radonjic. The biggest scare came with the full-time whistle imminent, Matheus Cunha's lob over Neuer going wide, and Bayern sealed a narrow but deserved victory.

The win takes Bayern onto 48 points from 20 matches, ten clear of Leipzig overnight. The Bavarians will be back in action on Monday, when they take on Al Ahly in the Club World Cup.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen