Bayern Munich 2-0 Hoffenheim: Ribery double enough for the Bavarians

Franck Ribery grabbed both goals as
Bayern Munich bounced back from
their midweek disappointment to
record a routine 2-0 victory over
Hoffenheim.
The hosts controlled the match
throughout, and the Frenchman was
on hand to open the scoring just
before the 20 minute mark, and
finished the job
Bayern had suffered a disappointing
3-1 defeat to BATE Borisov in
midweek, but immediately set about
looking to set the record straight, with
Ribery finding some space on the left-
hand side of the box and flashing a
ball across the face of goal which no-
one was able to turn in.
However, with the memories of a 7-1
drubbing at the Allianz Arena in March
still fresh, Hoffenheim were resolute
in defence and were fairly successful
in limiting the Bavarians' chances.
A Thomas Muller cross was hastily
hacked over Koen Casteels' bar by
Daniel Williams, but soon enough, the
hosts would finally find the opener.
Muller brilliantly fed Ribery , who
turned Andreas Beck with some fine
footwork, before firing a strike
between Casteels' legs to net his first
of the season.
Despite, going ahead, Bayern were still
having problems converting their
dominance into clear cut chances. A
Toni Kroos volley has deflected
behind for a corner, from which
Mario Mandzukic headed over.
Dante, of all people, then found
himself in an advanced position, but
his cut-back from the byeline was
slightly out of Ribery's path.
The Frenchman then exchanged
passes with Bastian Schweinsteiger
and charged forward, but rather than
testing Casteels, dragged an effort a
couple of yards wide of the post.
At the other end, meanwhile, the only
time the dominated visitors came
close to threatening Jupp Heycnkes'
side was when Manuel Neuer charged
out of his goal to head away a
chipped pass, only for the ball to fall
behind Joselu, despite an unfortunate
deflection off Jerome Boateng.
After their modest first-half efforts,
Bayern returned after the break with
renewed vigour, and within two
minutes of the restart, they were two
ahead.
Kroos failed to make meaningful
contact with a cross from the right,
but recovered to prod the ball into
Ribery 's path, and the former
Marseille winger duly swept the ball
into the top corner.
Bayern were cruising now, and
threatened to register a third when
Ribery charged into the area once
more, but failed to pick out Kroos.
Then Xherdan Shaqiri's quick
footwork was followed by a ferocious
right-footed shot which was deflected
behind for a corner which Javi
Martinez failed to make contact with,
despite being well stationed.
The Spaniard was then within inches
of notching his first goal in a Bayern
shirt, but saw Shaqiri's cross sail past
him, and made his frustration clear by
kicking the woodwork.
Hoffenheim finally registered an effort
in the 76th minute when Beck shot
from all of 30 yards, but the strike was
plucked out of the air with ease by
Neuer.
But the match had long ceased to be
a contest, and Bayern were able to
able to make it seven wins from as
many Bundesliga games this season.