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UEFA Men's Player of the Year, Robert Lewandowski, was at his brilliant best as Bayern Munich overcame a resilient Hertha Berlin. The capital club fought back after going down twice but were outdone by the Polish international, who scored four goals on his own to seal the win for Bayern Munich.
It was a battle between the 12th and the 13th-placed side in the Bundesliga, with heavyweights Bayern Munich uncharacteristically finding themselves in mid-table. The Bavarians started the season with a bang against struggling Schalke, netting eight goals without reply. However, a shock 4-1 defeat at the hands of Hoffenheim meant that Bayern Munich were level on points with the side from Berlin going into round three.
A stunning turnaround under Bruno Labbadia towards the back-end of last season saw Hertha finish 10th in the table - closer to the European spots than the relegation zone.
With over a €100 million spent since January 2020, loyal Berliners might have expected their team to start the new season on a better note. However, two extreme results in the first two matchdays meant that the capital club was placed a meagre 13th ahead of the third round of fixtures.
The teams played out an absolute thriller in their latest meeting in the Bundesliga, with only a late Robert Lewandowski penalty separating them in the end. Hertha, to their credit, fought hard after falling behind - first coming back from two goals and then scoring a third late on. However, they conceded a late penalty, allowing Bayern Munich to hammer in the final nail.
Here are the five talking points from this enthralling encounter.
#1 Bayern Munich's rut continues despite thrilling win
It has been a bittersweet week of football for Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick. The German's crowning as UEFA Men's Manager of the Year was overshadowed by a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Hoffenheim - Bayern's first defeat of the year. Meanwhile, his team's Super Cup win was clouded, if only momentarily, by Borussia Dortmund's comeback from two goals down.
Bayern Munich needed a statement win against Hertha, just to calm matters around the camp. While they did manage to win the game in the end - and claim all three points - it proved to be anything but straight-forward.
The Bavarians, once again, threw away a two-goal cushion before allowing Hertha to equalise for the third time in the match. While Bruno Labbadia's side fully merited their three goals in this match, the fact that Bayern conceded twice from set-pieces must have angered their head coach.
It took only one man to set things right for the struggling champions in the end.
#2 Business as usual for brilliant Lewandowski
2020 has been a near-perfect year for Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker enjoyed league success with Bayern Munich, before adding the UEFA Champions League and another DFB Pokal to his own personal vault. Thursday's crowning as UEFA Men's Player of the Year only added more gloss to his stellar year, despite the lingering disappointment of missing out on the Ballon d'Or.
Lewandowski continued his stunning run of form with a four-goal display against Hertha. The Poland international netted his first in the first half, firing home from close range after a spectacular save by Hertha goalkeeper, Alexander Schwolow.
He then added his brace early in the second half, scoring low past the custodian after collecting the ball from youngster Chris Richards. Partner-in-crime, Thomas Muller, laid the chance on a plate for the Pole to complete his hattrick, before he added a fourth via a penalty late into the match.
#3 Matheus Cunha - latest Selecao star?
Hertha Berlin's ambitious project has seen them spend over a €100 million in recruitment in the calendar year. As with any transfer splurge, there have been hits, and there have been misses. However, one particular star has looked worth every penny spent - Matheus Cunha.
The Brazilian forward joined the Old Lady from RB Leipzig in January and made an instant impression at the club. His form towards the latter half of the previous season even saw him linked with a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain. However, it did not materialise.
Nevertheless, he was awarded a Brazil call-up owing to his form and is expected to link-up with the senior team for the first time in the upcoming international window.
Cunha celebrated his call-up with an amazing display against Bayern Munich, which he rounded off with a well-taken goal. The youngster wrestled past a horde of defenders before playing a cautious one-two with forward Krzysztof Piatek and finishing emphatically past Manuel Neuer.
He's definitely one to keep an eye on in the forthcoming international break.
#4 Better days on the horizon for brave Hertha
What seemed like a brilliant outing for Hertha Berlin was turned upside down in a matter of seconds. The Old Lady fought back against Bayern Munich twice - once coming back from two goals down. However, young Maximilian Mittlestadt's ill-judged foul close to the finish meant that they found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline.
Nevertheless, Bruno Labbadia will take plenty of positives from his team's display, even more so by new summer signings Jhon Cordoba and Alexander Schwolow. The pair was superb at either end of the pitch, with another new signing Lucas Tousart putting in a solid display in midfield.
Regulars Vladimir Darida, Matheus Cunha, and Dodi Lukebakio put in good displays as well, while the entire team's spirit in coming from behind was unmistakable.
Cruel as it is, Hertha find themselves 13th in the table with more losses than wins. However, should the team continue to play as they did today, there will surely be some much better days up ahead.
#5 Battered, bruised Bayern Munich in need of reinforcements
Bayern Munich may have been the team to beat in 2020, but fatigue has begun to catch up with the team. Head coach Hansi Flick was already missing star signing Leroy Sane. And a packed schedule meant that he had to tinker his team to suit players' fitness levels.
As a result, Alphonso Davies was deployed as a left-winger rather than a left-back, while 20-year-old FC Dallas graduate Chris Richards was given his first start for Bayern Munich at right-back. Nonetheless, given the long and arduous season that lies ahead, Bayern Munich must add depth to their squad.
The Bayern Munich hierarchy is hard at work already to untangle the situation before it turns into a crisis. Espanyol midfielder Marc Roca was announced on a five-year deal ahead of the match, while deals for Douglas Costa, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Bouna Sarr are said to be in the works.
However, with time running out in the window, it remains to be seen how many more players Bayern Munich can bring in for the season.
