Munich: Franck Ribery grabbed both goals as Bayern Munich bounced back from their defeat at the hands of BATE Borisov in the Champions League 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. He finished the job with a strike in the second period to wrap the three points for the Bavarians.
In the first minutes, Bayern immediately got to business, 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 the Frenchman 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.
Goal.com
First Published: Sunday, October 07, 2012, 09:07