Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 5:26 PM• Jonathan van Haaster

Bayern Munich benefited on Sunday afternoon from Borussia Dortmund’s loss of points on Friday. The Record Master didn’t get through the wall of Hertha BSC for a long time, until Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman made the difference in the second half: 2-0. Joshua Kimmich was the engine behind those goals with two wonderful assists. Thanks to the victory, Bayern takes the lead from Dortmund again. The difference between the two teams, with four games to play, is one point. Hertha must make up at least six points on its competitors in those remaining games to avoid relegation.

In addition to Matthijs de Ligt, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel also had a starting place for Noussair Mazraoui. Partly due to the absence of Dayot Upamecano and Alphonso Davies, the Moroccan international was given the opportunity to show itself. Daley Blind remained on the bench for the entire match, while Ryan Gravenberch made his entrance after an hour. In the absence of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Sadio Mané occupied the striker position. Jean-Paul Boëtius was at the kick-off at Hertha.

Bayern was naturally the dominant party from the start. It led, among other things, to a shot from Gnabry and headers from Mané and Benjamin Pavard. However, they saw their efforts fail. On behalf of Hertha, Boëtius tried from a free kick, which goalkeeper Yann Sommer did not worry about. In the phase before half-time, Hertha goalkeeper Oliver Christensen distinguished himself several times. First Coman encountered the goalie and moments later Gnabry also encountered the Danish star. Slowly but surely it became clear that Christensen would not let himself be passed before the break.

Even after the interruption, Bayern continued to press, although it did not come to the liberating opening goal at first. This time Mane and Pavard were just not happy enough in the completion. To the great relief of the supporters in the Allianz Arena, the 1-0 came after all. Kimmich had an excellent cross to Gnabry, who sent his header into the far corner: 1-0. Kimmich showed his best side again a little later. Again he sent a wonderful pass from midfield, which this time ended up at the feet of Koman. The Frenchman hit from close range: 2-0. In the final phase, Sané and Gravenberch tried in vain to increase the margin to three, but the lead was never threatened again.