Manuel Neuer
If heaven doesn’t crash on earth, he will end his career at Bayern. This is what President Herbert Hainer predicted in an interview on the day of the game. Enjoyed the Berlin air in the almost empty Olympic Stadium, where not only the aerosols had a hard time, but also all intruders in front of his housing. Was happy about a headball from Belfodil, which he parried more casually than the Berghain bouncer the streams of tourists. Looked over Darida’s millennium chance. Then ran a bit cocky over his colleague Hernández and after a classic “Take him, I’ll have him for sure” conceded a goal with Upamecano.
Benjamin Pavard
Has recently played 100 competitive games with Bayern under his belt. Played as a right-back in many of them, although he actually claims the central defender position as a species-appropriate attitude. If you have a fairly substantial arsenal of slide tackles, it can sometimes make opponents ouch. Solid as always on his side, but without the big moment. When conceding then at least with a good view of the action.
Niklas Sule
Is in contract talks after exactly 158 games for Bayern and it is not yet clear whether he will be lifting his mighty body across the pitch in Barcelona in the future – or further in Munich. Or in the “Big City” of Berlin, like this time. Driven the game from behind, distributed the balls and acted as the usual closet of the Bayern interior. Trotted around a bit puzzled when he conceded, but actually it was the fault of his colleagues Neuer and Upamecano.
Lucas Hernandez
Has got around well in the world. His stations include: Marseille, Madrid, Maldives – he spent a hearty quarantine vacation there at the beginning of January. However, he presented himself properly rehabilitated and, with a certain “grip” known throughout the industry, caused a lockdown on Hertha’s right attacking side. All in all quite uncompromising in his defensive actions, but not such a projectile as Alphonso Davies, who otherwise often defends on the left. Survived the earthquake named Manuel Neuer unscathed.
Joshua Kimmich
Also knows about quarantine quite well, but this topic is somehow so 2021. Made acquaintance with Vladimir Darida’s straddle legs early on, that hurt a bit. Then retaliated with a kick at Hertha’s Maolida, so that a painful draw seemed possible. In truth, of course, there was no question of a draw: His cross ultimately helped Müller to make it 2-0 and at the latest it became clear how important this Kimmich is for Bayern.
Corentin Tolisso
Another Munich player haggling over his contract. And it seems complicated, because on the one hand he would like to stay, on the other hand the club wonders if they can still afford an often injured, costly manpower like him. But is currently fit and in good spirits, as his two goals showed. One thing even counted: a highly demanding diving header, which made it 1-0. Celebrated somewhat exuberantly, as if he wanted to demonstrate: Look, dear bigheads in the club, maybe we can still find each other.
Serge Gnabry
Was already at home in North London (Arsenal), so you can get by in West Berlin (Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf). He sped right down Sonnenallee like a pimped sports car – Hertha generously let him demonstrate his horsepower. Circled in some nice crosses or tried dribbling. Was a constant danger for the Berliners because he initiated many surprising things in conjunction with Müller. Missed a colossal chance trying to get it a little too accurate in a solo sprint. Then did it better and scored the most straightforward goal in football history to make it 4-0.
Thomas Müller
Was always at home in Upper Bavaria and it will probably stay that way, because to be honest it’s hard to imagine Müllerthomas in any big cities. He felt very comfortable in Berlin from the start and promptly initiated one of Tolisso’s many goals (but that was disallowed). He then underlined his happiness with his own hit, in which he held out the miller’s knuckle in an outstandingly unconventional way. Curved happily through Berlin for the rest of the game and allowed himself the luxury of a huge opportunity that was missed.
Leroy Sane
In addition to a certain two-time world footballer, it has actually been something like the Bayern player of the season so far. You wouldn’t necessarily have thought so. The ways of the football god are just unfathomable. But he also went his own way, which often brought him to the top. But not always determined enough there. But always playable in the center and with many direct treasures in ball processing. Is generally much more effective in the game without magic, see the Hertha gift to 3: 0, which he forced into a sprint at the speed of thought.
Kingsley Coman
Muscle twitches, virus infection, contract extension: there has been a lot going on off the pitch for him lately. Should now be one of the top earners at Bayern and justified that with a lot of commitment: energetic runs down the left flank, shots with the right, headers. And of course his cross before Tolisso made it 1-0. After the break, allowed himself a solo run along (and through) the Berlin Wall – and was only caught at the last moment. One of the most agile Munich this time.
Robert Lewandowski
Is now decorated with the world footballer double and has broken almost all records at Bayern. Only Gerd Müller’s 365 league goals remain – but Lewandowski (300) should still grab them if heaven doesn’t crash on earth (see Neuer). Keep Berliners busy with his sheer presence, it seemed a bit like George Clooney (or someone even cooler) dropping in at the Berlinale: Everyone wanted to be with him. Created chances but missed a goal this time. Then tick off the missing 65 goals to the Gerd Müller record in the next seven games.