Bayern crash to shock defeat at Hoffenheim
BERLIN: Striker Mark Uth netted twice as defending champions Bayern Munich slumped to a shock 2- 0 defeat at Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga on Saturday.
Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti paid the price for rotating his squad, having started with both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery on the bench, ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League match at home to Anderlecht.
Thomas Mueller started on the right wing but played poorly despite creating two goals in Germany’s 6- 0 mauling of Norway in World Cup qualifying on Monday.
Bayern stumbled to defeat despite 72 per cent possession and 23 shots on goal, while Hoffenheim scored twice from just six efforts.
“We didn’t behave well after going 1- 0 down,” fumed Bayern captain Manuel Neuer.
“We had Hoffenheim completely under control, but we didn’t take the lead, that is the problem.”
After three games, Bayern are in the unusual position of fi fth in the table – for the fi rst time since August 2014.
Hoffenheim are second behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, who were held to a 0- 0 draw at Freiburg.
Hoffenheim took the lead in Sinsheim after catching out the Bayern defence.
Bayern centre- back Mats Hummels cleared the ball, which had bounced out of play, but Andrej Kramaric took a quick throw-in and the defence was slow to react as Uth fi red home past Neuer on 27 minutes.
Bayern were furious as two balls were on the pitch for Uth’s goal, but the referee dismissed their protests as the ball Hummels had cleared was in the other half of the pitch – nowhere near play.
Hoffenheim doubled the lead when Swiss defender Steven Zuber fired in a cross and Uth was unmarked to drill home on 51 minutes.
Ancelotti threw on Ribery and James Rodriguez, the Colombian making his Bayern debut following his move from Real Madrid, for the fi nal quarter of an hour but to no avail.
Having failed to beat Bayern in their first 17 attempts, Hoffenheim now have back-to-back wins after April’s 1- 0 home victory. —