Hoffenheim 0-6 Bayern Munich: Dream Zirkzee debut marred by off-field events

Bayern Munich saw out a 6-0 win at Hoffenheim in unorthodox fashion as the players united following a protest in the away end.

Published : Feb 29, 2020 22:56 IST

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (left) and Dietmar Hopp were in attendance as Bayern Munich secured a comfortable win.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (left) and Dietmar Hopp were in attendance as Bayern Munich secured a comfortable win.
lightbox-info

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (left) and Dietmar Hopp were in attendance as Bayern Munich secured a comfortable win.

Demonstrations against Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp from Bayern Munich fans overshadowed their side's thumping 6-0 Bundesliga victory on Saturday.

The two sides played out time in bizarre scenes after the match was twice interrupted and the players were taken off the field.

Insulting chants and banners were directed at Hopp, an unpopular figure due to his financing of the home club, from spectators in the away end on Saturday.

The game was paused as a banner was unveiled in the final 20 minutes, with Bayern players and officials pleading with supporters to stop so the game could continue.

MATCH CENTRE

Play resumed for a brief period, before referee Christian Dingert directed the teams towards the dressing rooms due to the continued protests, prompting Oliver Khan and Hasan Salihamidzic to head onto the pitch and also implore with followers of the Bavarian giant.

The sides eventually returned to the field, and all 22 players convened in the centre of the pitch to see out time with a round of applause, while passing and juggling the ball between themselves and clapping along with fans.

Hopp also headed onto the pitch and shook hands with Bayern officials and the referee, who finally blew up in a strange conclusion to a one-sided match.

Leader Bayern put Hoffenheim to the sword, adapting seamlessly to life without the injured Robert Lewandowski as 18-year-old Joshua Zirkzee scored on his first Bundesliga start.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment