Kingsley Coman fires Bayern Munich to hard-earned win over Hertha Berlin
Kingsley Coman scored the only goal of the game as Bayern Munich edged a tight encounter with Hertha Berlin to move 10 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Hertha Berlin 0-1 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 Coman (21')
Bayern shaded a high-tempo first half in snowy Berlin, though Hertha were not without their chances. The first fell to Dodi Lukebakio inside three minutes, but the Belgian was denied by Manuel Neuer's outstretched boot. Rune Jarstein followed suit to foil Leroy Sane's attempted chip, but was penalised soon after for upending the Bayern No.10 in the box. Robert Lewandowski stepped up to take the ensuing penalty, only for Jarstein to push the Pole's attempt wide. Neuer was made to work by Krzysztof Piatek, before Coman fired home the opening goal with the aid of a huge deflection off Niklas Stark. The Frenchman drew a strong save from Jarstein with Bayern's next attack, but Hertha continued to make in-roads at the other end as Piatek blazed over and Lukebakio stung the palms of Neuer.
The second period resumed at a similarly frenetic pace as Serge Gnabry fired a warning shot at Jarstein. There were murmurings of another penalty on the hour-mark - this time for handball - but Stark was given a reprieve following a VAR review. Following a somewhat muted showing compared to their first-half endeavours, the introduction of Nemanja Radonjic gave Hertha a welcome lift. The Serbia international scored with his first touch in the 63rd minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for a clear offside against Lukebakio in the build-up. Radonjic was at the heart of Hertha's next foray, but fellow substitute Matteo Guendouzi's cross was snuffed out by Neuer at his near-post. Sami Khedira joined the action as 15th-placed Hertha summoned one final push, with Radonjic firing straight at Neuer and Matheus Cunha sending a chipped effort agonisinly wide when through on goal in the closing stages.
Match stats
- Bayern have won their last 39 Bundesliga games which they've led at half-time.
- The record champions have scored at least once in their last 51 competitive matches (33 in the Bundesliga).
- Neuer kept his 200th Bundesliga clean sheet.
- Lewandowski had converted his last 17 penalties in all competitions. His last missed attempt came in a 4-1 win over VfB Stuttgart in January 2019.
- The previous 17 penalties faced by Hertha had all been scored - the longest run in the Bundesliga.
- Khedira made his first Bundesliga appearance for 10 years and 273 days.
Watch: Kingsley Coman: "I could have scored twice"
Line-ups
Hertha: Jarstein - Pekarik, Stark (c), Torunarigha (Alderete 46'), Mittelstädt - Ascacibar (Khedira 81'), Tousart - Lukebakio (Leckie 81'), Darida (Guendouzi 55'), Cunha - Piatek (Radonjic 63')
Unused subs: Schwolow, Klünter, Dardai, Löwen
Out: Boyata (foot), Cordoba (muscular), Dilrosun (knee), Plattenhardt (groin)
Coach: Pal Dardai
Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Süle, Alaba, Hernandez - Kimmich - Coman (Choupo-Moting 86'), Gnabry (Tolisso 73'), Müller, Sane (Costa 73') - Lewandowski
Unused subs: Hoffmann, Boateng, Davies, Sarr, Roca, Musiala
Out: Goretzka (not included), Martinez (not included), Nianzou (thigh), Nübel (ankle)
Coach: Hansi Flick
Watch: Sami Khedira: "It's amazing to be back"
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