Manuel Neuer
After not even three minutes, he was allowed to show why he is considered to be in top form. Against the old friend Dodi Lukébakio (Dreidrei against Düsseldorf!) He unpacked a confident foot defense. Had a little trembling moment before the break when he initially dropped Lukébakio’s free kick – but the ball was deflected, so it might simply be Neuer’s next good deed. Incidentally, almost led to the 2-0 when his long ball found Lewandowski. Was not outwitted by Matteo Guendouzi with a shot on the near corner. I was lucky that Matheus Cunha lifted past the gate shortly before the end.
Benjamin Pavard
Introduced the first Munich chance with a simple but effective through pass. Was seen often elsewhere – at least for his standards. The fact that he saw a yellow card after his foul on Lukébakio was a tough decision.
Niklas Süle
Got some nice words from Hansi Flick on Friday (the reason was a question about the alleged interest of Chelsea). Süle is a “player you can always rely on,” said Flick. This time was allowed to play in the middle from the beginning, which hadn’t been the case for a long time. What spoke for him: Was part of a defense that played to zero. More striking moments: The Munich opening goal was preceded by a well-placed diagonal pass to Müller. Otherwise he made a cut from a header duel with Jordan Torunarigha. I was lucky that Cunha lifted past the gate shortly before the end.
David Alaba
According to an interview with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, 99.9 percent of them leave FC Bayern. Was the only defender to have played from the start last week; was thus part of a defense that had to be found first – but which played to zero. I was lucky that Cunha just before the end … His initially rather mixed passport balance remained a side note – as did his later argument with Sami Khedira.
Lucas Hernandez
Was allowed to start in the back left instead of Alphonso Davies. Did his chores without attracting much attention. But then draws attention to himself when he quarreled with Matheus Cunha.
Joshua Kimmich
Wore the not yet invented title of pass-of-the-first-half-giver at break, was even able to send several candidates into the race: sometimes steep and diagonal, sometimes vertical. However: He also made potentially dangerous ball losses. Later tried to turn a corner, but Jarstein was careful.
Leroy Sané
Started on the right side and had his first chance early: Had to finish with the right, which wasn’t an advantage for him. Later got the penalty with a sprint into the box. Would have deserved a template later when he danced through the Berlin penalty area and then spotted the free-standing Coman. Got work done early.
Serge Gnabry
This time he started in the middle and took on defensive duties in alternation with Thomas Müller. Had his dangerous moment, once Maximilian Mittelstädt saved, once Jarstein held his (very hard) shot.
Thomas Müller
Started offensive next to Gnabry in the middle, was even spotted in six position when the opponent had possession. Was seen quite often, got a goal assist of the easier kind in the statistics just for giving the ball to Coman.
Kingsley Coman
Most recently, he gave assists, his last goal was a while ago: it fell against Stuttgart at the end of November. Was able to be happy about his own goal again, also because Niklas Stark deflected his shot so that he flew over Jarstein and from the crossbar into the goal. Didn’t hit the ball properly when he had a good chance of 2-0. Also suffered a cut after a collision.
Robert Lewandowski
Played a strong through ball to Sané before the penalty and that would have been a nice scene for him: first initiate the penalty, then convert it yourself. He also grabbed the ball, but it created a moment that really hasn’t happened often: Rune Jarstein became the second Bundesliga goalkeeper to save a Lewandowski penalty (predecessor: Manuel Neuer). Could have scored again shortly before the break, this time his header flew past Neuer’s long ball past the goal. And because there was little else for him, his name was actually missing from the list of goalscorers.
Substitute players
Corentin Tolisso and Douglas Costa: Both came after 73 minutes, it was Tolisso’s first game after being fined for a tattoo. Also Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting got a few more minutes. Made the 1-0 over time.
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