Bundesliga
Philippe Coutinho scored a brace as Bayern Munich consolidated their position at the top of the standings with a 6-0 win at Hoffenheim. The game was interrupted in the 79th minute by referee Christian Dingert due to invective banners. After the continuation of the game, both sets of players and those responsible for both teams sent a clear signal against the abuse against Dietmar Hopp and only passed the ball back and forth amicably. Large sections of the crowd, the players and those in charge applauded in solidarity.
"The permanent hostility to Dietmar Hopp has long been unacceptable and must be condemned severely. We experienced a sad climax in this regard today. There is no excuse for that. All those involved - players, the refereeing team and those responsible from Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim, as well as a very, very large number of stadium visitors - acted in an exemplary manner in this situation and thus sent the clear signal to some self-proclaimed rulers of football culture that such derailments can not be tolerated anymore. There must be no place for any kind of hate. This must be the goal of all German professional football," read a statement by DFL CEO Christian Seifert.
Hoffenheim 0-6 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 Gnabry (2'), 0-2 Kimmich (7'), 0-3 Zirkzee (15'), 0-4 Coutinho (33'), 0-5 Coutinho (47'), 0-6 Goretzka (62')
Before the interruptions, Bayern needed just two minutes to show the watching world that no Robert Lewandowski means no problem when you have a player by the name of Serge Gnabry in the form of his life. The Germany international did his best impression of Inspector Gadget to hook a Thomas Müller cross back into the danger zone at full stretch, and Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann could only help it into his own net. Joshua Kimmich added another after Jerome Boateng's asking ball caused all manner of problems in the home side's box, before 18-year-old Zirkzee - the injured Lewandowski's nominal replacement in the Bayern attack - rolled his marker and slotted in a third. Baumann thwarted Alphonso Davies and Gnabry, but could not prevent Coutinho getting in on the act with the aid of a Lucas Ribeiro deflection.
It got worse still for Hoffenheim within two minutes of the restart. Müller picked the pockets of Benjamin Hübner and pinged an inch-perfect pass onto the toe of Coutinho, who steered smartly beyond Baumann for his eighth Bundesliga goal. The Barcelona loanee might have had a hat-trick soon after, but could not make the desired connection with Gnabry's back-post cross. The pressure on the home defence was relentless as former Bayern man Sebastian Rudy cleared off the line from Gnabry and half-time introduction Corentin Tolisso flicked wide. Substitute midfielder Leon Goretzka crowned a sensational team move that started in the Bayern half with a cute dinked finish to make it six. Only Baumann's reflexes prevented further damage.
Watch: Neuer: "No-one will be speaking about our performance"
Hoffenheim: Baumann – Rudy, Nordtveit, Hübner (c), Zuber (Kramaric 45') – Grillitsch, Samassekou (Akpoguma 73') – Skov, Baumgartner, Bruun Larsen (Ribeiro 30') - Bebou
Unused subs: Pentke, Kaderabek, Bicakcic, Beier, Posch
Out: Adamyan (ankle), Belfodil (knee), Dabbur (knee), Elmkies (knock)
Coach: Alfred Schreuder
Bayern: Neuer (c) – Pavard, Boateng (Tolisso 46'), Alaba, Davies (Hernandez 63') – Kimmich, Thiago – Gnabry, Müller (Goretzka 56'), Coutinho - Zirkzee
Unused subs: Ulreich, Odriozola, Martinez, Cuisance, Batista Meier
Out: Coman (thigh), Lewandowski (knee), Perisic (ankle), Süle (torn ACL)
Coach: Hansi Flick
Watch: Rummenigge: "What happened is inexcusable"