Hertha BSC – Bayern Munich: Visitors Surge To Victory In Second Half (0-4)

A lethargic Bayern struggled to break down Hertha Berlin’s new-look defensive shape throughout the course of the first half. However, the visitors came out energized in the second stanza and with brisk attacking moves, punctuated by pinpoint diagonal longballs, dispatched their opponents – eventually cruising to victory. 

Tactical analysis and match report by K.T. Stockwell. 

Hertha Berlin have looked formidable since Jürgen Klinsmann was appointed manager - their success based on a more pronounced defensive mindset and an emphasis on counterattacking football. The change in approach helped Hertha collect a bevy of points heading into the winter break – getting positive results against all of Frankfurt, Mönchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen and Freiburg – moving decidedly out of the relegation zone as a result. 

Thus far the transfer window has seen Hertha part ways with Ondrej Duda, who was sent to Norwich on loan, while at the same time the club welcomed defensive midfielder Santiago Ascacíbar from Stuttgart. The transactions meant Klinsmann was forced to make changes to his usual starting eleven. The former German international stuck with his 4-1-4-1 formation and a defense consisting of Lukas Klünter, Dedryk Boyata, youngster Jordan Torunarigha and captain Marvin Plattenhardt. New boy, Ascacíbar slotted in to shield the backline, while Dodi Lukebakio, Vladimír Darida, Marko Grujić and Javariô Dilroun filled out the rest of the midfield. Up top, Davie Selke performed the duties of the lone striker. 

Still marred by a plethora of injuries, Bayern looked to continue to build on the strong form they have developed under new manager Hansi Flick. A

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