Catching up not rewarded: Hertha BSC makes life difficult for Bayern

Manuel Neuer made a successful comeback in FC Bayern Munich’s wild 3-2 (3-2) win at Hertha BSC despite conceding two goals. On Saturday afternoon, after a four-week injury break, the national goalkeeper had no recognizable problems with his shoulder, which had been sore for a long time. National coach Hansi Flick can apparently also plan for the World Cup in a few weeks with Neuer.

Jamal Musiala (12th minute) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (37th/38th) shot the Munich team back to the top of the Bundesliga table for at least one day in the sold-out Olympiastadion with 74,667 spectators. Hertha’s local rivals Union Berlin must now win at Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday (3.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on DAZN), otherwise the Munich team will be number one in the last week before the World Cup break.

For Hertha, the view goes further down. The goals of Dodi Lukebakio (40th) and Davie Selke (45th / penalty) were of no use. The lead over the relegation zone remains narrow at two points.

Manuel Neuer demanded early

Less than four minutes were played when Neuer had to play for the first time. He boxed Lukebakio’s shot from an angle. He also reacted quickly to Selke’s (11th) attempt from close range. The record goalkeeper (17th) proved that the coordination is also right when he intercepted a high through ball just before the edge of the penalty area. Shortly thereafter, he blocked an attempt by Marco Richter (19th) with his foot and also fished a flick from the offensive man (27th) out of the corner, none of which were goalkeeping heroic deeds, but evidence that Flick is probably not worried about Neuer’s Qatar must make use of.

Musiala had long since punished the first of many Hertha carelessnesses with the Munich leadership. And for the Berliners it was really bitter in the football curiosities cabinet. First Marc Oliver Kempf involuntarily hung up for Choupo-Moting, a minute later his fellow defender Agostin Rogel did the same. The Bayern nine maneuvered the ball over the line both times as it fell.

Was that it? no Hertha came back, a new quality under coach Sandro Schwarz. Lukebakio scored his sixth career goal against Bayern. And Selke converted a penalty that Benjamin Parvard was responsible for. 2: 3 after 0: 3 – the feature film of the unfortunate defeat against RB Leipzig was repeated for Hertha in 45 minutes. And the fans sensed the chance of a surprise comeback.

For the first time, many Hertha fans saw nothing. Thick blue clouds from a smoke bomb in the east curve clouded the view. The great excitement with four goals within eight minutes did not continue. Hertha didn’t make the mistake of giving Bayern too much space. Schwarz had prescribed patience and made life difficult for the people of Munich, who were no longer compelling themselves. An own goal by Herthas Rogel was rightly disallowed for being offside by Musiala. Leroy Sané and Lucas Hernandez also made comebacks after their muscle injuries. Neuer was there when Lukebakio (74′) lurked for the equalizer and danced out Wilfried Kanga (89′) in a duel for the ball.