Costa and Lewandowski Show Great Character for Bayern Munich in Hoffenheim Win

Bayern Munich showed great character on Saturday as they overcame an early deficit, a penalty that could have lost them the game and a sending-off to beat Hoffenheim 2-1 at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.

Kevin Volland scored the fastest goal in Bundesliga history, putting the hosts ahead after approximately nine seconds as he pounced on an errant pass deep in the Bayern half and aimed his shot past Manuel Neuer and inside the left post.

Thomas Muller equalized for Bayern later in the first half, poking home the rebound after Mario Gotze had an effort saved. However, Hoffenheim were given a chance to claim the spoils on 73 minutes, when Jerome Boateng picked up his second booking in as many minutes and was sent off.

The decision was perhaps cruel, but the Germany international made the mistake of turning away from the ball as it was delivered, and it glanced off his raised elbow. Referee Tobias Stieler pointed to the penalty spot, but Eugen Polanski fired his spot-kick off the right post.

Incensed by the red card and encouraged by Polanski's miss, Bayern fought hard to complete their comeback and managed to do so in the final minute of regular time, as Douglas Costa ended a mazy run from midfield with a low cross that Robert Lewandowski made no mistake in slotting into the net.

The result was a telling one for Bayern, who didn't receive any favors from the referee and had luck against them on the balance, and yet they still managed to grind out a result.

Daniel Maurer/Associated Press

Many major events went against Bayern in Saturday's match. David Alaba's misplacement of his back-pass was extremely rare, and Volland's quick press and interception of the ball along with his surprising finish only compounded the improbability of the opener.

The circumstances that got Boateng sent off later were also improbable. Two bookings in under two minutes, the latter being at best a 50-50 decision, shocked the visitors after they'd worked so hard to equalize. It was against the run of play, and many teams would have given up and lost or held on for a draw after that point.

In Bayern's case, they pushed forward following Boateng's dismissal. The result of the penalty—that Polanski was unable to finish—was a rare bit of luck for the visitors, and they ran with it. In Costa's case, literally.

The Brazilian's run conjured memories of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, who were both off the pitch at the time, as he skipped past defenders deep on the right flank and curled inward at the end line before cutting back to find Lewandowski.

Costa had the fine footwork and explosive acceleration to bring himself into position to decide the match, but where many would have floated a hopeful cross, he had the confidence and patience to look up and pick out his target, plus the skill to deliver a perfect ball for the winner.

It's notable that Lewandowski's winner came after the Poland international started on the bench, just some 23 minutes after his introduction. It was a rare instance that the striker, Bayern's only natural center forward, was benched. But Lewandowski found a way to decide the result in limited time on the pitch. That's difficult for any striker, and it speaks volumes of his class and character.

It's also telling that Costa, in the absence of Bayern's "usual suspects," stepped up at a vital time, with the clock winding down. Many players, especially new ones, would look to their teammates and wait for a leader to step up. Costa took matters into his own hands, exhibiting a confidence that's growing with each passing week.

In the end, the Hoffenheim win was a narrow one and a close call, but it may prove to be more important than last week's 5-0 demolition of Hamburg.

Against the northern side, who have narrowly avoided relegation for two consecutive seasons, it was too easy. In Sinsheim, however, just about everything that could go wrong indeed went wrong for Bayern, and yet they were able to take three points.

Even with luck against them, they can't help but win. What could possibly be more inspirational?

@Mr_Bundesliga