adminBERLIN. — Pep Guardiola rates 10-man Bayern Munich’s “crazy” 2-1 comeback win at Hoffenheim on Saturday as one of the best Bundesliga soccer matches in his three seasons in Germany.
A 90th-minute Robert Lewandowski goal sealed Bayern’s unlikely win after the Bavarian giants had conceded the joint fastest goal in Bundesliga history when Hoffenheim’s Kevin Volland scored after just nine seconds.
Bayern had begun the fight back when a Douglas Costa shot rocketed off the hands of Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and Thomas Mueller jabbed home the rebound with his knee to equalise on 40 minutes.
The defending champions were reduced to ten men when defender Jerome Boateng was sent off for an obvious handball from the free-kick he had just conceded to earn his second booking and a red card on 72 minutes.
Hoffenheim then wasted the chance for an historic first win over Bayern when Eugen Polanski blasted his penalty attempt off the post.
Munich claimed the dramatic winner when Brazil winger Costa fired in a superb cross, Mario Goetze let the ball roll and Lewandowski drilled home his shot.
“The last ten minutes were somewhat crazy, we saw one of the best Bundesliga matches in the last three years,” said a relieved Guardiola, who is in the final season of his three-year Bayern contract.
“I’m happy with the win and, above everything, with the performance.
“We knew it would be difficult here as Hoffenheim have always created a few problems for us in the last few years.”
Boateng is now suspended for Bayern’s key match at home to second-placed Bayer Leverkusen next Saturday.
Having spared Bayern’s blushes, Lewandowski said they showed their mettle after fighting back to deny Hoffenheim an historic first win over the Bavarian giants. — AFP.
Online Reporter