On Wednesday night, Bayern Munich got their 2025/26 DFB-Pokal challenge underway at the BRITA-Arena against third-tier side Wehen Wiesbaden.
Just 15 minutes into the game, Harry Kane gave his side the lead from the spot. Soon after the break, Michael Olise made the score 2-0 with a fine first-time strike from inside the box
Midway through the second half, the game turned on its head as the home team levelled the score in the space of just six minutes. Bayern ultimately clinched a 3-2 win, courtesy of a headed goal from Kane in added time. However, the overall manner in which the result was achieved was thoroughly disappointing. Let’s look at what, apart from the final score, can only be described as some worrisome takeaways from Bayern’s surprisingly narrow victory in Wiesbaden.
Poor finishing
Despite scoring three times against Wiesbaden, the theme for the night from Bayern was seemingly unwanted profligacy in front of goal. In terms of possession, Bayern almost quadrupled that of the opposition. Die Roten also outshot Wiesbaden 22-9 in terms of total shots and 9-2 in terms of big chances.
Although Harry Kane missed his second spot kick of the match soon after the scores were levelled, the chief culprit on the night in terms of missed opportunities was Luiz Diaz.
After scoring a beauty in the 6-0 season-opener hammering of Leipzig, Diaz failed to find the back of the net from seven attempts on goal during the match; three of which were big chances from close range, including an attempt in the very first minute.
Lucho acquitted himself well in other facets of the game, but it appears that he is still looking for his shooting boots since his move from Liverpool. Simply put, he needs to find them sooner rather than later. With the upcoming away game against Augsburg on Saturday being the last one before a two-week international break, it would be splendid if he were to atone for his missed chances against Wiesbaden. It’s early days yet, but so far, his inconsistency in front of goal is a reason for concern.