Joshua Kimmich helps dominant Bayern Munich blow through Hannover
Joshua Kimmich scored one and assisted two as Bayern Munich swept aside Hannover with a crushing win that keeps the pressure on unbeaten Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.
Hannover 0-4 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 Kimmich (2’), 0-2 Alaba (29’), 0-3 Gnabry 53’, 0-4 Lewadowski (64’)
Had it been a boxing match, Bayern would have scored a first-round knockout. The contest was only two minutes old when Kimmich connected with Thomas Müller’s inventive flick, setting the tone with a thunderous 18-yard volley that sailed into the bottom corner. Hannover staggered to their feet as Müller and Robert Lewandowski stung the palms of Michael Esser, before David Alaba landed another lusty blow, arrowing in from Kimmich to put Bayern two goals up at the break.
It got worse for Hannover in the second half as Serge Gnabry powered into the area and swept under Esser at the second time of asking for Bayern’s third. Esser pulled off an exceptional save to deny Müller’s near-post header, but was powerless to prevent Lewandowski glancing in Kimmich’s inviting right-wing cross six minutes later. Bayern played a chastening game of cat and mouse with their prostrate hosts for the remainder, a third successive Bundesliga win long in the bag.
Match stats
- Bayern recorded successive Bundesliga clean sheets for the first time this season.
- Kimmich scored his first Bundesliga goal since October 2017. He is also Bayern’s leading assist provider in 2018/19 (six).
- Lewandowski has scored 22 goals in as many competitive games this season. With 10 Bundesliga goals already this term, he has now hit double-figures for eight seasons running.
- Alaba scored his first Bundesliga goal since 14 April 2018.
- Gnabry has four goals and two assists in his last seven competitive outings.
- Müller made his 300th Bundesliga appearance.
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Line-ups
Hannover: Esser – Felipe (Maina 46’), Anton (c), Wimmer, Ostrzolek – Haraguchi, Walace, Schwegler – Asano (Muslija 63’) – Füllkrug (Elez 73’), Weydandt
Unused subs: Tschauner, Albornoz, Bakalorz, Wood
Out: Hübers, (knee) Prib (knee), Sarenren Bazee (concussion), Hübers, (knee) Prib (knee), Sarenren Bazee (concussion), Bebou (hamstring)
Coach: Andre Breitenreiter
Bayern: Neuer (c) – Kimmich, Süle, Boateng, Alaba (Rafinha 73’) – Thiago, Goretzka – Gnabry, Müller (Wagner 79’), Coman (Sanches 73’) – Lewandowski
Unused subs: Ulreich, Martinez, Boateng, Jeong
Out: James (knee), Robben (thigh), Tolisso (knee)
Coach: Niko Kovac
Related news
Matchday 15 probable teams
Could Harry Kane be back in time for Bayern’s big Friday meeting with Leipzig?
Leverkusen back in title race
The defending champions surged back into the race to retain their Bundesliga crown on Matchday 14, narrowing the gap behind Bayern to just four points.
How do Bayern and Leipzig stack up?
Bayern take on recent rivals Leipzig in their final game before the winter break. The record champions vs. the young pretenders - how do they compare?