Germany's top division began on Friday as last season's champions Bayern Munich took on Julian Nagelsmann's Hoffenheim side. Both teams lined up strong, with Robert Lewandowski, who was the league's top scorer in the last campaign, leading the line for "Die Roten".
From kick-off, Bayern looked the better side. Half-chances fell to David Alaba and Robert Lewandowski, but Niko Kovac's side were unable to capitalise on poor defending from Hoffenheim.
Then, in the 23rd minute, Bayern got back to where they left off last season. Constant threatening from Coman's unrivalled pace allowed several crosses to make their way into the area. Finally, Müller nodded past Baumann from a resulting corner, inswung by Kimmich, as Bayern broke the deadlock.
It had been coming for Hoffenheim, who then spent the remainder of the first half on the backfoot, aside from an almost-impossible miss from Joelinton. Hoffenheim's goalkeeper Baumann was called into action several times, most notably when Coman tricked his way through the defence before being closed down by the German. Coman soon saw the end of his game, however, as he was brought down on the edge of the area by Schulz and forced to limp off, replaced by Arjen Robben.
The start of the second half did not suggest anything different, as Bayern again came close through a trademark Arjen Robben curling effort, before the game saw its first disallowed goal. Lewandowski found himself one-on-one with Baumann and rolled the ball past the goalkeeper into the net, only to see the linesman's flag had been raised for offside.
Against the run of play, Nagelsmann's side levelled through Hungarian international Adam Szalai. The striker picked the ball up on the edge of the box and dribbled past Boateng - who arguably should have done better - before unleashing a low strike past Neuer into the far corner.
The lapse in defensive concentration meant Bayern piled forward to find another goal. Ribery saw his strike blocked by Baumann after some neat play with Arjen Robben; though not long after, the Frenchman raced through again before being challenged in the box.
The referee signalled for the penalty, and Robert Lewandowski stepped up in the 78th minute before he saw his shot parried by Baumann and reconverted by Robben. But then VAR took centre stage at the Allianz Arena. The referee, after several minutes of debating with his assistants, signalled for a retake as it appeared Baumann was off his line. This time, the Polish international converted, sending Baumann the wrong way.
Four minutes later, VAR was once again involved as the ball ended up in Hoffenheim's goal. New signing Goretzka saw his strike deflect off Muller and past the goalkeeper, though VAR showed the ball made contact with Muller's arm. Disallowed goal number three.
With Hoffenheim rushing forward in the last few minutes, Bayern were able to capitalise as the ball ended up back towards the Hoffenheim's area. Kimmich took a quick throw-in, before a flick-on from Muller allowed Robben to thrash the ball into the roof of the net past Baumann.
All in all, although Hoffenheim had chances, Bayern deserved the three points as they move top of the Bundesliga table.
24 de agosto de 2018