Bayern Munich depart for Club World Cup after beating Hertha 1-0

Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty however a deflected effort from Kingsley Coman helped Bayern Munich eke out a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Hertha Berlin within the Bundesliga on Friday.
Bayern stretched its successful run within the league to 5 video games, whereas Hertha remained in relegation bother with only one level from its final six video games.
New signings Sami Khedira and Nemanja Radonjić went on within the second half to make their Hertha debuts, however the house aspect was left to rue a late missed likelihood from Matheus Cunha when he had solely Manuel Neuer to beat. The Brazilian’s chip over the Bayern goalkeeper drifted to the best of the unguarded web and broad.
Hertha toiled and made life tough for the eight-time defending champions amid heavy snowfall.
Dodi Lukebakio beat the offside entice however did not beat Neuer with the primary huge likelihood within the third minute.
Leroy Sané then did not beat Hertha’s Rune Jarstein from an identical place on the different finish.
Jarstein conceded the penalty for a late problem on Sané. But the Norwegian atoned by saving Lewandowski’s effort within the eleventh.
Jarstein grew to become solely the second goalkeeper to save lots of a penalty from the Poland star within the Bundesliga since Neuer in 2013, when Lewandowski was taking part in for Borussia Dortmund.
It was a uncommon miss for Lewandowski, who scored his earlier 11 penalties, and scored in his final 9 league video games. Lewandowski already has 24 objectives within the Bundesliga this season.

Fortunately for the guests, Coman broke the impasse within the twenty first when Niklas Stark’s tried block looped the ball over Jarstein and in off the underside of the crossbar.
Hertha coach Pál Dárdai gave a wry smile on the sideline.
Both sides had additional possibilities because the snow continued to fall. Hertha defender Jordan Torunarigha needed to go off with a hip harm earlier than the break.
Serbian winger Radonjić got here on within the 63rd and promptly wasted a very good likelihood. He was foiled by Neuer late on however made a very good impression on his debut.
Khedira got here on within the 81st to make his Bundesliga comeback after 10 ½ seasons away with Real Madrid and Juventus. The former Germany midfielder’s solely notable contribution was a reserving for arguing with a linesman.
“I know that I need training sessions, that I need playing time and that I won’t come here and play 90 minutes from the start. The coach decides,” Khedira mentioned. He hadn’t performed in any respect since final June.
“It’s a nice feeling to be needed again,”he mentioned.
Kickoff was introduced ahead by half an hour to facilitate Bayern’s departure for Qatar, the place it has a Club World Cup semifinal in opposition to Egyptian champion Al Ahly on Monday.
“We wanted to go to Qatar with a victory,” Bayern coach Hansi Flick mentioned. “Now it’ll be a nice flight.”