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

Posted Sunday, March 01, 2020 by Goal.com

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

Demonstrations against Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp from Bayern Munich fans overshadowed their 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 with some fans in Germany due to his financing of Hoffenheim, from spectators in the away end on Saturday.

The game was paused after a banner was unveiled in the final 20 minutes, with Bayern players and officials pleading with supporters to stop so the game could continue at Rhein-Neckar-Arena - where Borussia Dortmund fans were banned from for two seasons as a result of a similar protest.

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 giants.

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.