Hoffenheim vs. Bayern Munich: Score and Reaction from 2015 Bundesliga Match

Scoring the joint-fastest goal in Bundesliga history wasn't sufficient for Hoffenheim on Saturday as they fell 2-1 at home to the 10 men of Bayern Munich, who earned a 90th-minute winner from substitute Robert Lewandowski.

A David Alaba error allowed Kevin Volland to find the back of the net after just nine seconds, but Thomas Muller and Lewandowski answered to give Pep Guardiola's side a desperate win after Jerome Boateng saw red.

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Hoffenheim's Eugen Polanski missed a terrific chance to put the hosts ahead with the score tied 1-1 following Boateng's dismissal, but he could only hit the woodwork.

The official Bundesliga Twitter account confirmed Volland's goal stood at nine seconds, tying the German top flight's record for the quickest ever, with Bayern stopper Manuel Neuer helpless to prevent the early setback:

Mario Gotze made his first start of the season Saturday, coming in for the benched Lewandowski, but Bayern were by no means lacking in their usual quality against Markus Gisdol's men.

Meanwhile, summer signings Fabian Schar, Jonathan Schmid and Pavel Kaderabek all made Hoffenheim's starting XI for their first home starts of the new campaign.

Alaba's horrific start to the proceedings saw a misplaced pass go straight to an onrushing Volland, whose left foot was unwavering as he set about staging an upset at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.

That surprise clearly spurred the guests into a response, but the absence of Lewandowski's spearhead presence was evident, as Fox Soccer correspondent Ross Dunbar noted:

"

Wasn't bad from Bayern, but leaving Lewandowski out of the side is, erm, bizarre. (unless he's injured) #TSGFCB

— Ross Dunbar (@rossdunbar93) August 22, 2015"

The likes of Muller and Douglas Costa proceeded to enjoy a wealth of chances, but without their usual predator ghosting through the middle, there was a lack of end product for Guardiola's men.

Bayern suffered a further setback after Medhi Benatia was forced to withdraw after just 36 minutes due to injury, with Rafinha coming on as his replacement.

The ever-dangerous Muller saw to it those woes were eased five minutes prior to the half-time whistle, however, kneeing in a rebound to grab the equaliser and finally get Bayern back on level terms.

As is their usual way of practice, Bayern dominated in the possession stakes, according to Squawka, but it was a damning case of all huff and little puff:

Bayern glanced the woodwork on several occasions, first through the fine work of Arjen Robben and then thanks to his second-half replacement, Thiago Alcantara, but Hoffenheim had the rub of the green on both occasions.

There was nothing unfortunate about Boateng's two yellows in as many minutes, though, which Bundesliga writer Jonathan Harding acknowledges will leave Bayern short-handed for their clash with Bayer Leverkusen:

The second of those cautions was given for a yellow card that happened to be in the box, but Polanski couldn't convert as Neuer just got enough of his fingertip on the ball to deflect it off the post before it was hammered away.

It proved to be a fatal mistake, too, as Lewandowski came off the bench and combined with Costa to grab a dramatic winner in the last minute of normal time, solidifying his place as the Bundesliga's most lethal current striker:

Even with an extra man, Gisdol's side couldn't take advantage of their weakened foes, and Guardiola will surely take heart from a display that showed character in vast amounts.

Hoffenheim continue their campaign without a point to their name, while Bayern will count this as a close shave ahead of their fixture against Leverkusen next Saturday.

Reaction

Daniel Maurer/Associated Press

After falling to Bayer Leverkusen in their Bundesliga opener last weekend, an underdog's victory over Bayern on Saturday would have been the ideal result for Hoffenheim to get their season off the ground. 

And Gisdol was painfully aware of just how close his side were to stripping the reigning league champions of three points, per Bundesliga Reporter:

It's also difficult to ascertain whether Bayern should be happy or merely relieved with their maximum-point haul, considering Boateng's red card put them within touching distance of an early-season defeat.

However, Guardiola maintained he was pleased with the performance in his post-match comments, according to Bayern's official Twitter account:

That being said, title contenders Leverkusen are likely to be that much tougher an opponent next Saturday, and Guardiola can bet improvements will be required if they're to emerge victorious in that bout.