“The game was very attacking and very attractive," summed up a grinning Robert Lewandowski following the win against TSG Hoffenheim, and he wasn’t exaggerating. The fans at the sold-out Allianz Arena witnessed a true spectacle with seven goals, and the faithful celebrated a 5-2 win for FCB at the end. “It was a great game from both teams," thought Jupp Heynckes.
Things were not looking promising for Bayern early on, as they went 2-0 down after twelve minutes following goals from Mark Uth and FCB loanee Serge Gnabry. “We didn’t start the game like we normally do and our opponents started really well," remarked the coach, “Hoffenheim used their space really well."
Relying on strengths
Despite the two-goal deficit there was no reason to panic. “We know our strengths and obviously it’s fantastic to know you’re still in the game even if you’re 2-0 down. Not every team can have that feeling," Thomas Müller proudly declared. Results in recent weeks including those before the winter break have given the record champions plenty of confidence.
Lewandowski and Jérôme Boateng equalised inside four minutes, bringing the score back to 2-2 after 25 minutes. “Then we realised we wanted more and we had the momentum," said Müller. The league leaders were able to carry this energy into the second half. “We were unstoppable going forward,” said the delighted 28-year-old.
Fans and players in high spirits
The Bavarians had nine shots in target in the second half, with three finding their way into the net. In-form Kingsley Coman gave FCB the lead in the 63rd minute, before Arturo Vidal extended the advantage with a 66th minute header. In the 90th minute sub Sandro Wagner wrapped up the points a couple of minutes after coming on as a sub with his first Bundesliga goal for Bayern. “To come back like that is great," said an enthusiastic Hasan Salihamidzic, with Heynckes describing himself as “happy all round.”
The coach also thanked the crowd “for the support after the early Hoffenheim goals." The mood at the open training session the following day was really good and the fans welcomed their team with applause. “That was fun," said an overjoyed Sebastian Rudy after the recuperation session. "Games like that make you want more."
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