Bayern Munich vs. Hamburger SV – Bundesliga – August 14, 2015

On August 14, 2015, Bayern Munich faced Hamburger SV in the opening match of the 2015-16 Bundesliga season at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Bayern Munich delivered a commanding performance, securing a 5-0 victory to kick off their campaign in dominant fashion.

Key Statistics and Analysis

1. Scoreline and Goal Timings:
   • Bayern Munich: 5 (Medhi Benatia 27′, Robert Lewandowski 53′, Thomas Müller 69′, 73′, Douglas Costa 87′)
   • Hamburger SV: 0
2. Possession:
   • Bayern Munich controlled the game with 76% possession, while Hamburger SV had just 24%. Bayern’s dominance in possession allowed them to dictate the tempo and pin Hamburg deep in their own half for much of the match.
3. Shots:
   • Bayern Munich registered 23 shots, with 13 on target, reflecting their relentless attacking pressure throughout the match. Hamburger SV managed only 5 shots, with 1 on target, struggling to create any significant chances against Bayern’s organized defense.
4. Passing Accuracy:
   • Bayern Munich had a passing accuracy of 90%, completing 746 passes out of 828 attempts. Hamburger SV had a passing accuracy of 62%, completing just 163 passes out of 263 attempts. Bayern’s superior passing and ball retention played a key role in their ability to control the match and break down Hamburg’s defense.
5. Defensive Statistics:
   • Bayern Munich made 11 tackles compared to Hamburger SV’s 22, reflecting Hamburg’s attempts to disrupt Bayern’s play and regain possession. However, Bayern’s defense, led by Jérôme Boateng and Medhi Benatia, comfortably dealt with Hamburg’s limited attacking threat.
6. Set Pieces:
   • Bayern Munich opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Medhi Benatia headed in from a free-kick delivered by Xabi Alonso, giving Bayern an early lead. Bayern doubled their advantage early in the second half through Robert Lewandowski, who finished from close range after a defensive mistake by Hamburg. Thomas Müller then added two quick goals in the 69th and 73rd minutes to put the game beyond Hamburg’s reach. Douglas Costa rounded off the scoring in the 87th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box.
7. Individual Performances:
   • Thomas Müller was one of the standout performers for Bayern Munich, scoring two goals and constantly threatening Hamburg’s defense with his intelligent movement. Robert Lewandowski was also a key figure, scoring Bayern’s second goal and linking up well with his teammates. Douglas Costa, in his Bundesliga debut for Bayern, was impressive, providing width and pace on the left wing and capping off his performance with a late goal. For Hamburger SV, goalkeeper René Adler made several key saves to prevent an even heavier defeat.
8. Tactical Overview:
   • Bayern Munich, under Pep Guardiola, used a 4-1-4-1 formation, focusing on controlling the midfield and using the pace of their wide players to stretch Hamburg’s defense. Hamburger SV, managed by Bruno Labbadia, set up in a defensive 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to absorb Bayern’s pressure and hit on the counter-attack, but they were largely unsuccessful due to Bayern’s dominance and high pressing.
9. Disciplinary:
   • The match saw two yellow cards, both for Hamburger SV (Gojko Kačar 38′, Johan Djourou 45′). These fouls were mainly tactical, aimed at breaking up Bayern’s play and preventing further chances.
10. Corners and Offsides:
    • Bayern Munich won 8 corners compared to Hamburger SV’s 1, reflecting their sustained pressure in the attacking third. Bayern were caught offside twice, while Hamburg were caught offside once, highlighting their limited forward movements.

Summary

Bayern Munich’s 5-0 victory over Hamburger SV in the opening match of the 2015-16 Bundesliga season was a clinical and dominant performance, showcasing their attacking firepower and tactical superiority. Medhi Benatia’s opening goal set the tone for the match, and Bayern never looked back, with Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Müller (twice), and Douglas Costa adding further goals to secure a comprehensive win.

Bayern’s dominance in possession, coupled with their high pressing and fluid attacking play, left Hamburger SV with little chance to compete. The home side’s relentless pressure saw them overwhelm Hamburg’s defense, with Müller and Lewandowski proving particularly effective in front of goal.

Hamburger SV, despite their best efforts to defend in numbers, were unable to cope with Bayern’s quality and were limited to just a few half-chances throughout the game. Goalkeeper René Adler was kept busy, making several saves to keep the scoreline from being even more lopsided.

This result set the tone for Bayern Munich’s season as they once again demonstrated their status as one of the most dominant teams in Europe under Pep Guardiola. For Hamburg, the defeat was a stark reminder of the gap in quality between themselves and the top teams in the Bundesliga.