Costa and Vidal star as Bayern overcome Hertha
Arturo Vidal and Douglas Costa found the net as FC Bayern München moved closer to the Bundesliga title courtesy of a hard-fought 2-0 win at Hertha Berlin on Matchday 31.
Hertha Berlin 0-2 FC Bayern München
Goals: 0-1 Vidal (48’), 0-2 Costa (80’)
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With seven changes to the side that overcame SV Werder Bremen in the DFB Cup in midweek, Bayern took a while to get into their stride. Hertha were happy to sit deep and deny the visitors space, and despite Thiago’s composure in the centre, Pep Guardiola’s side created little by the way of goalscoring chances in the opening stages. It was, in fact, Thiago who enjoyed the best opportunity of the first half in the 25th minute, but former Bayern keeper Thomas Kraft stayed big in the Hertha goal to deny the Spaniard from a tight angle. The hosts upped the ante in response, although a succession of poor decisions around the penalty area meant Manuel Neuer went untested before the break.
Hertha were punished for such profligacy within three minutes of the restart when Vidal’s powerful effort from the edge of the area deflected past Kraft to open the scoring. The goal played perfectly to Bayern’s plan, with Hertha now forced to go in search of a goal. With Vidal influential, though, the champions kept the ball calmly in midfield, and could have had another through the Chilean in the 64th minute, but for Kraft to rush out and clear. The Hertha custodian could do little to prevent Douglas Costa doubling Bayern’s lead with ten minutes remaining, however, as the Brazilian’s arrowed shot from distance nestled into the top corner and put the seal on a satisfying afternoon for the Bavarians.
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