Mats Hummels, Bayern defence caught napping in shock defeat at Hoffenheim

Published on: 10 September 2017

Munich couldn't seem to get much going against Hoffenheim, with a pair of decisive goals from Mark Uth sinking Bayern. Bayern Munich's Carlo Ancelotti addresses recent talks of a rift with Thomas Muller and backs Renato Sanches' loan to Swansea.

Chasing a historic sixth league title on the trot, champions Bayern Munich slipped to their first defeat of the season, losing to a goal in each half from Mark Uth in Hoffenheim.

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Positives

Nothing immediately springs to mind apart from nobody getting injured.

Negatives

Conceding two sloppy goals, Bayern fell to a second straight defeat in Hoffenheim, never recovering from the shock of falling behind to the first of Uth's quality finishes, caught napping by a quickly taken throw in -- via a ballboy.

Manager rating out of 10

5 -- Lost the battle of wits against young pretender Julian Nagelsmann who, sooner rather than later, looks like replacing him in Munich. Carlo Ancelotti didn't look to have a Plan B when Bayern fell behind and will regret leaving Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery on the bench.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Manuel Neuer, 6 -- Surprisingly beaten at his near post by Uth but prevented Bayern from falling two goals behind with a fantastic stop four minutes before the break. Powerless to prevent Uth's second either.

DF Rafinha, 5 -- With David Alaba injured, the Brazilian slotted in at left-back, but couldn't provide any of the Austrian's attacking thrust nor show the necessary defensive alertness, especially in the lead up to the first goal.

DF Mats Hummels, 5 -- Always a threat in the opposition box but reacted ponderously for both goals.

DF Javi Martinez, 6 -- Took his place again in central defence after injury but looked short of puff after the game changing opening goal.

DF Joshua Kimmich, 6 -- Headed back into the danger area for the second Hoffenheim goal and (for a change) his crossing from right-back left a little to be desired.

MF Sebastian Rudy, 6 -- Impressive in the opening 25 minutes but Bayern couldn't capitalise on their possession advantage with a goal. Therefore, the summer free transfer from Hoffenheim paid the price for the two-goal deficit when hooked off for the more attacking option of Robben on 58 minutes.

MF Corentin Tolisso, 5 -- Bayern's record signing headed straight at the keeper Oliver Baumann on the stroke of half-time but had no real impact on the game for long periods.

There weren't many bright spots for Bayern on Saturday, as the champions just didn't have it at Hoffenheim.

MF Thiago, 6 -- Influential in the early jostling but the Spain midfielder faded as Bayern withered.

MF Kingsley Coman, 5 -- After an ineffective first half, Coman fired narrowly over soon after the resumption. Threatened at times but very little end product.

MF Thomas Muller, 5 -- Regained his starting spot on his 400th outing for the club, but bereft of confidence, looked a shadow of his former self. A meagre 17 touches of the ball in the first half and finally hooked off on 78 minutes as Bayern went for bust.

FW Robert Lewandowski, 6 -- Grazed the crossbar with a flick and also went agonisingly close with a free kick in the first half. Goalless for the first time in the Bundesliga this season, finding Baumann too tough to beat on the day.

Substitutes:

MF Arjen Robben, 6 -- Came on for Rudy with Bayern chasing the game but despite some bright moments couldn't prevent their first defeat of the season.

MF James Rodriguez, NR -- A Bundesliga debut on 77 minutes coming on for the morose Muller. Too late for a rating and never looked like changing the direction of this game.

MF Franck Ribery, NR -- The 34-year-old replaced Rafinha as Bayern went all in -- to no avail.

Mark Lovell covers Bayern Munich for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter: @LovellLowdown.

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Source: espn.co.uk

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