Bayern suffer 4-1 loss at Hoffenheim to end long unbeaten run
Quadruple winners Bayern Munich slumped to a shock 4-1 loss at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday to get rid of their 32-match unbeaten run in all competitions stretching back to last year.
Bayern, winners of the Super Cup against Sevilla after extra time on Thursday, had not lost since Dec. 7, 2019, and had opted 21 consecutive Bundesliga matches without defeat, winning their last 15.
The European champions, who face Borussia Dortmund in Germany's Super Cup on Wednesday, conceded two goals in eight minutes as their usually solid defence collapsed under Hoffenheim pressure.
"It was clear it could happen at some time," said Bayern coach Hansi Flick, who won four titles after overtaking in November.
"I don't blame it all on fatigue. We didn't manage to play out our chances with an increase of determination. Congratulations to Hoffenheim."
"I cannot accuse my team of too little will or commitment. We now have to put it behind us," he said.
Ermin Bicakcic put the hosts ahead, nodding in a corner at the near post. A mistake by Bayern defender Benjamin Pavard in the 24th minute then allowed Munas Dabbur to break free and beat keeper Manuel Neuer with an excellent finish.
Bayern, with top scorer Robert Lewandowski on the bench in the beginning, stepped on the gas following the second goal and Joshua Kimmich's superbly curled shot from 18 metres out slice the deficit in the 36th.
Neuer then kept the Bavarians in the overall game, tipping an Andrej Kramaric effort onto the post and Bayern striker Joshua Zirkzee almost bagged an equaliser in the 56th but his shot bounced off the bar.
Bayern showed signs of fatigue as Hoffenheim again pressed forward and Kramaric, who had scored a hat-trick the other day, killed off the visitors' hopes in the 77th minute, controlling a cross along with his back to the target and turning beautifully to beat keeper Manuel Neuer.
A stoppage-time penalty by the Croatia forward Kramaric crowned a memorable win for Hoffenheim and their new coach Sebastian Hoeness, a Bayern youth coach until last season and nephew of longtime club boss Uli Hoeness.
"It went as we'd planned it," Hoeness said. "We scored with this first chance and we were able to remain dangerous throughout."
