Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. Hoffenheim; Decision on Alphonso Davies expected within two days; Arsenal wants Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović; Lionel Messi headed back to FC Barcelona?; and MORE!

Bayern Munich hosted Hoffenheim in a Bundesliga tie that was a must-win match given Bayer Leverkusen’s surge up the table.

The Bavarians wasted no time in asserting its dominance and throttling Hoffenheim for a 5-0 win. Bayern Munich was excellent from start to finish against a Hoffenheim squad that looked like it wanted to be anywhere else but at the Allianz Arena. Here are some quick hitters on the match:

As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:

• As expected, Kompany made some changes. By evading a question about Leon Goretzka earlier this week, Kompany might have let it slip that Aleksandar Pavlović would get the nod. Surprisingly, Konrad Laimer took a seat in favor of Raphaël Guerreiro, while Kingsley Coman stepped in for Michael Olise. In addition — and as expected — Dayot Upamecano returned to the XI in place of Kim Min-jae, who is battling a nagging injury. Thomas Müller stayed in the lineup over Jamal Musiala, who is recovering from an illness.
• Leroy Sané, who struggled against Gladbach last weekend, repaid Kompany’s faith in him with a goal in the 6th minute. Upamecano helped create the goal with an aggressive step up from his center-back position. After some frantic ball movement, Müller tapped a pass to Sané, who crept in from right-wing to rifle a shot to the far post.
• Just six minutes later, Harry Kane and Guerreiro worked a neat, little combination that saw the Englishman send the Portuguese player in all alone for another goal. Guerreiro deftly slid his shot in to the far post to make it 2-0 and the rout was on.
• Bayern Munich was crisp and dominant, while Hoffenheim just floundered. There is no reason for Hoffenheim to be as outclassed as it was. What a disappointing showing from Hoffenheim.
• Kane, who might get a reputation as a penalty merchant (I kid, I kid), would get a goal after a Hoffenheim handball led to yet another PK goal for him. By the 26th minute, it was 3-0. Start the buses as they say…
• Uh, not sure what was up with Kimmich’s corners, but one looked like a mis-hit, while another looked like a training ground play with Müller that should have, well, been left on the training ground.
• Coman would get banged up toward the end of the first half (though Kompany denied Coman being subbed out was due to injury) and was replaced by Mathys Tel at halftime. Tel promptly slung in a cross that narrowly crept over Müller’s head, but did land on the foot of Sané, whose touch was sublime. The winger calmly sent a ground ball to the far post for a 4-0 lead.
• It was a low pressure situation, but Guerreiro did a really nice job after a period of inactivity.
• In the 52nd minute, Kane really should have made it 5-0 after a really terrible play from Hoffenheim, but his shot caught too much of Oliver Baumann and went out for a corner. Two minutes later, Kane attempted a bicycle kick, but just did not get a great piece of it.
• While Tel did have an assist, Kane set him up nicely for an opportunity, but the Frenchman held the ball too long and ended up dribbling into two defenders. In the end, Tel’s performance for the match was positive (despite that bad moment).
• In the 60th minute, with the game firmly secured, Kane and Upamecano went off in favor of Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka. Goretzka played at center-back upon his entry.
• Rumored Bayern Munich transfer target Tom Bischof was taken out in the 63rd minute. Bischof completed 27 of 30 passes, while also winning four of six ground duels. He lost possession five times, but he might have been the least of Hoffenheim’s problems.
• Bayern strung together a series of passes in the 66th minute that culminated with a goal from Gnabry for a 5-0 lead.
• Oddly, Kompany opted to bring in Olise for Sané in the 67th minute.
• For good measure, Musiala made his return in the 81st minute for a chance to shake off some rust.
• Olise should have scored late in the game, but he hit a shot directly at Baumann. What a golden opportunity gone awry.
• Overall, Bayern Munich was terrific and Hoffenheim looked thoroughly unmotivated. From the opening whistle, it was very clear that Bayern Munich was going to roll the visitors and they did — which was awesome. Now, though, a rejuvenated VfL Wolfsburg side is on its way to the Allianz Arena for a match on Saturday. Can the Bavarians stay hot?

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them look or a listen:

The clock is ticking on Alphonso Davies’ agent’s time in Germany. We could know — one way or the other — by the end of this week, what the future holds for the Canadian star:

A decision on the future of Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies is expected by the end of the week, reports AS. The Bavarians’ latest contract offer hasn’t satisfied the 24-year-old, and they are not willing to go any higher. Real Madrid are very interested in seeing how the situation develops with Davies’ current contract expiring in the summer.

We’re back and ready for it all over again.

The Bundesliga Rundown makes its 2025 debut — and what a matchday we have to discuss!

In this episode, Marcus covers:

• Why Borussia Dortmund’s problems go beyond Nuri Şahin and are deeper at the boardroom level.
• How impressive this defensively resilient Leverkusen side is.
• Is Patrick Schick better than Victor Boniface?
• Heidenheim finally win! But will they be relegated, or will Steffen Baumgart’s new side struggle?
• Bundesliga January transfer review! Gift Orban, Ridle Baku, and Donyell Malen moves are on the agenda!

Arsenal FC thinks that Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović will be easier to acquire than RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško this month:

Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović is a more feasible option than RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško for Arsenal as they look to sign a striker in January, reports Calciomercato. Šeško was the Gunners’ priority but a winter deal for the 21-year-old would be difficult to complete, while negotiations for Vlahović to renew his contract with I Bianconeri are at a standstill. The 24-year-old is keen on a Premier League move and a deal will likely cost around €60 million, which could allow Juventus to move for Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee.

Juventus is ramping up its interest in FC Barcelona center-back Ronald Araújo:

Juventus will go all out for Barcelona center-back Ronald Araújo after being unable to bring in António Silva from Benfica, reports Diario Sport, with the Portuguese club refusing to lose one of their key players. The Blaugrana will demand €50m for Araujo with their financial needs and the 25-year-old’s openness to a move being reasons that a convincing offer could make the transfer happen.

According to Fabrizio Romano, though, Barca has agreed to a contract extension with its defender:

Bayern Munich continues to be top of the league this season; they beat (arch rivals and forever nemesis) Borussia Mönchengladbach and kept their four point lead over Bayer Leverkusen, but does Bayern have a Harry Kane problem and maybe a Jamal Musiala problem? We try to answer this question in the Flagship and more:

• Is Bayern Munich too reliant on Jamal Musiala or just reliant enough?
• Was Bayern good against Gladbach?
• What is going on with the handball rule?
• Reflections on Felix Zwayer’s refereeing of the game.
• Words on Borussia Mönchengladbach and their overall improvement this season.
• What might Manuel Neuer have been up to in the first half?

West Ham could be looking at RB Leipzig striker André Silva to replace Niclas Füllkrug, who is injured again:

Sky Germany reports that RB Leipzig striker André Silva is currently a candidate for West Ham as they look for a backup to replace the now-injured Niclas Füllkrug.

Silva is only seen as a backup candidate for West Ham as they currently look elsewhere with former Union Berlin and Mainz striker Taiwo Awoniyi looking like their main candidate as they pursue his signature.

Leipzig wants to sell Silva this winter but will also be open to letting him leave on loan. The Portuguese striker currently earns €7m a year. On top of this, Leipzig also want to add more depth to their attacking options and tried to sign Noah Okafor of Silva’s former club Milan, but the deal collapsed after the medical.

Could Lionel Messi close out his career with FC Barcelona? It appears that it could be one option on the table:

Lionel Messi renewing his contract at Inter Miami until 2026 could open up the chance of shock loan return to Barcelona.

Bayern Munich travelled to Borussia Mönchengladbach for a Bundesliga showdown to restart action after the Winterpause.

The Bavarians were able to fend off a very defensive, conservative effort from Die Fohlen to capture a 1-0 victory, though it was not easy (against Gladbach, it is never easy).

Let’s talk about how it all went down and more on the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show. This is what we have on tap:

• A look at the starting XI and what was surprising.
• A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
• Bayern Munich had to be patient and aggressive at the same time, which was a difficult balance.
• Gladbach came out with far more intensity in the second half and Bayern Munich struggled to deal with it.
• Some final thoughts and takeaways on the match.