Bayern Munich have struggled in the DFB Pokal over the last few seasons. They have not won the trophy since winning the treble in 2020. Bayern and Vincent Kompany are eager to do well in the cup competitions, along with setting high standards in the Bundesliga.
Die Roten have to improve significantly in cup competitions this season, as they were very close to getting a poor result in their first round of DFB Pokal. The defending Bundesliga champions left it late to clinch a 3-2 win against Wehen Wiesbaden on Wednesday.
As expected, Vincent Kompany made several changes to the starting XI. The statement change was a start for Lennart Karl in the attack. The youngster recently signed a new deal. He has been earmarked to play an adequate number of games this season after several big departures at Bayern. Jonas Urbig also got his first start of the season in the goal.
The visitors were close to getting an ideal start as Luis Diaz had the golden opportunity to open the scoring inside the first minute. His shot was well saved by Florian Stritzel. Harry Kane and Jonas Urbig played neat passes in the build-up to this move.
Despite strong pressing from the home side, Bayern were dominating the proceedings. They were moving the ball quickly to break the deadlock. The perseverance eventually paid off as Die Roten earned a penalty in the 15th minute as Sacha Boey was brought down in the box. Kane made no mistake from the spot and gave Bayern a much-deserved lead.
Diaz continued to trouble the home side, but the Colombian forward was not able to provide the correct finish to improve Bayern’s lead. Raphael Guerreiro also came close to scoring in the 33rd minute. The Portuguese was set up in the box through a header from Diaz, but his shot was parried away by Stritzel. Die Roten had a couple more chances before the half-time whistle. However, the score remained 1-0 as they couldn’t finish promising moves.
A mixed second half for Bayern
The second half was strange for Bayern. They doubled their lead early in the second half through a well-worked goal. Lennart Karl played a key role in the move, which was emphatically finished by Michael Olise.
After Olise’s goal, it looked like the win was certain. However, things changed quickly in the space of six minutes after the hour. The home side scored two goals and got back in the game. Kim Min-jae was at fault for the second goal, while the first goal was a mistake due to poor defensive organisation by the team.
Bayern got the opportunity to go ahead three minutes after Wiesbaden’s equaliser. Harry Kane uncharacteristically couldn’t convert a penalty, and the home side breathed a sigh of relief. The English forward eventually came back to haunt them in the added time by scoring the winner with a header. Josip Stanisic delivered a pinpoint delivery from the left flank.
Vincent Kompany will be annoyed by the way the team had two lapses in concentration during the second half. The Belgian would be relieved to get the win. It has been a good start to the season for Die Roten, but there are still areas to improve for them.