Robert Lewandowski snatched a last-gasp equaliser with the final kick of the game to save a point for Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, who had fallen behind to Vedad Ibisevic’s goal midway through the first half.
Bayern struggled to reproduce the fireworks of Wednesday’s 5-1 Champions League demolition of Arsenal, failing to get much change out of a well-marshalled Hertha defence. However, with time running out, up popped substitute Lewandowski, poking home from close range after a cleverly worked free kick.
The main positive was stretching eight points clear with Lewandowski’s last-gasp leveller, which was timed at 95:59 and is latest goal since detailed Bundesliga records began in 2004-05. Bayern have gained nine points with goals scored after the 80th minute, and this was the third away game this year where Bayern have changed the result with a last-ditch goal.
Continuing a trend of 2017, this was a slow and sluggish away performance — Freiburg, Bremen and Ingolstadt were previous examples — and there was very little freshness in the capital. Bayern also allowed their first goal in six games vs. Hertha.
6 — Carlo Ancelotti before the game said that “we can’t always play like we did against Arsenal,” and how right he was. The Italian might have brought on Lewandowski at half-time, but all’s well that ends well.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Manuel Neuer, 7 — The ever-present goalkeeper was hardly tested and couldn’t do anything about Hertha’s goal, which came from one of their few attacks.
DF Juan Bernat, 6 — The Spain international made just his sixth league start of the season, slotting in at left-back, but failed to catch the eye.
DF David Alaba, 7 — Showed his versatility again by slotting effortlessly into central defence alongside Mats Hummels. Alaba almost scored with a last-minute free kick but was denied by a fine save from the Bundesliga’s second-best goalkeeper, Rune Jarstein.
DF Mats Hummels, 7 — Looked comfortable alongside Alaba and was also a threat in the final minutes when acting as a second striker as Bayern threw the kitchen sink at Hertha. Was also booked.
DF Philipp Lahm, 7 — On his 504th outing for the club, Lahm turned in another sprightly performance and was impressive in tandem with Arjen Robben down the right flank, getting forward at every available opportunity.
MF Arturo Vidal, 5 — Gave away the free kick which led to Hertha’s goal. Or you could say he breathed on Marvin Plattenhardt as it looked to be a dive that fooled everybody, including the referee. Vidal was substituted on the hour after a tired display.
MF Joshua Kimmich, 6 — Toiled industriously but had to make way on the hour for the fresh legs of the 35-year-old Xabi Alonso.
MF Thiago, 6 — Little of his midweek brilliance was on display, but he did help set up the equaliser with a well-worked free kick, cleverly finding Robben, whose shot was blocked on the line before Lewandowski clinically mopped up.
MF Douglas Costa, 6 — Came on strong towards the end of the first half as Bayern upped the tempo, but faded in the second and could find his place under threat in coming weeks when Franck Ribery returns from injury.
MF Arjen Robben, 7 — Produced a collector’s item, letting fly with a stinging shot with his right foot as Bayern searched for an equaliser. Kept going until the end and his blocked shot was poked home by Lewandowski for the equaliser.
MF Thomas Muller, 5 — Largely anonymous for long periods, he failed to add to the solitary league goal he has scored this season.
Substitutes
FW Robert Lewandowski, 8 — Cautioned within minutes of his introduction on the hour but in the right place at the right time, scoring his 16th league goal of the season with literally the final kick of the game. Priceless.
MF Xabi Alonso, 6 — Went straight into the book for a late challenge after replacing Kimmich on the hour. Solid otherwise.
MF Kingsley Coman, NR — The Frenchman replaced Bernat, as Ancelotti went all in after 77 minutes, and it was Coman who took the free kick on the left that led to Bayern’s precious equaliser.
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