FIRST TEAM
02/12/2011

Daylight “Robb-ery” too much to handle

1899 Hoffenheim weren't quite able to cause the upset the had hoped to and instead succumbed to a dominant FC Bayern München side by losing 4-0 inside the Allianz Arena. Goals from Mario Gomez, Thomas Müller and a brace from the resurgent Arjen Robben were enough for the reigning champions to claim the three points in front of home support.

Marco Pezzaiuoli made just one change as his side travelled to Munich, brining in Boris Vukcevic for Gylfi Sigurdsson. Elsewhere Louis van Gaal was almost able to choose from a full squad, barring certain long-term injuries, which meant he was able to call upon the lethal combination of both Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben on the flanks.

If there were any question marks regarding how dangerous FC Bayern would be, they were quelled within the opening exchanges. From literally the first attack of the match Ribery and Müller combined in a fashion that made 1899's backline look old and off the pace. The move ended after Müller split the defence to find Robben who fed Mario Gomez in the box to score his 17th goal of the season, setting up Hoffenheim for a terrible start to the match. The home side continued to put pressure on their visitors and they moved forward with ease, while Hoffenheim struggled to put their moves together. Bayern were controlling the match and their opponents. The pressure eventually told in the 15th minute when Müller snuffed out a poor pass from Isaac Vorsah. The youngster put Ribery in through on goal and, although Tom Starke parried the initial effort, the Frenchman was on hand to pull back the rebound to Thomas Müller. Under pressure from David Alaba, Müller demonstrated his strength and pace in order to beat his opponent striking in between the midfielder's legs.

The bad news just kept coming for Hoffenheim as Arco Pezzaiuoli was forced to bring of Sebastian Rudy in the 20th minute with Tobias Weis coming on to replace him. 5 minutes later and 1899 carved out their first chance of the match, but Ibisevic couldn't find the target with his header. As the game evened itself out towards the end of the first half, both Alaba and Ibisevic tested Kraft in goal, but neither could find a way past the young goalkeeper allowing referee Peter Gagelmann to send the teams into the break with the score line unchanged.

Isaac Vorsah came off at half time to be replaced by Josip Simunic after picking up a knock in the first 45 minutes and was the only change to the sides. Hoffenheim seemed determined to get themselves back into the match, but unfortunately could not find a way through the resilient Bayern backline. It was a demonstration of class and superiority for the home side as they extended their lead just after the hour mark. A sloppy pass from Alaba allowed Lahm to ghost in and bring the ball forward. The captain laid the ball off to Robben who jinked his way between several Hoffenheim players before lashing a left-footed effort past Tom Starke from the edge of the box. Cutting in from the right it was a typical Robben finish. It put a nail in the coffin for 1899 whose heads dropped after the third goal as they brought on Sigurdsson for Vukcevic with just over ten minutes to play. Then as if to make matters worse, Bayern scored a fourth when the deadly combination of "Robb-ery" emerged. Ribery streaked past two Hoffenheim players before playing an inch perfect ball to the feet of Arjen Robben on the right hand side of the area. It only took one touch for the Dutchman to beat Ibertsberger and make the space to curl a sumptuous and unstoppable effort into the top corner. It brought an end to disappointing trip for 1899 Hoffenheim and Marco Pezzaiuoli, who will be looking to bounce back when they welcome 1. FC Köln to the Rhein-Neckar Arena.

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