Bayern Munich: Top performers from 4-0 win over Mainz 05 in DFB Pokal

In three of the last four seasons, Bayern Munich have failed to progress beyond the second round of the DFB-Pokal. With the embarrassment of bowing out to third-tier side Saarbrucken at this stage of the competition last season under former coach Thomas Tuchel still fresh in the memory, the encounter against Mainz on Wednesday was effectively a must-win game for Vincent Kompany.

Much to the joy of the Bavarian faithful, DFB-Pokal demons of recent years were exorcised with a rousing 4-0 victory against Mainz. Bayern did all their scoring in the first half and controlled the game from start to finish. Let us take a look at three players who stood out as Die Roten advanced to the third round of the domestic cup competition for only the second time in five years.

Jamal Musiala

Jamal Musiala scored the first hattrick of his career with a magical first-half display despite being on the wrong end of some brutal tackles from Mainz, including one that looked more like a wrestling move from Mainz defender Dominik Kohr.

With just two minutes on the clock, Musiala gave Bayern the lead from close range, assisted by Kane, who was expertly picked out by Alphonso Davies in the box. For his other two goals, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder showed a poacher’s instinct; first with a header from an initial save, then from just a metre out as the Mainz goalkeeper and defence failed to deal with a cross from Konrad Laimer.

Apart from his goals, Musiala won seven of nine ground duels contested. Simply put, he was near unstoppable on the evening. With the score already 4-0 at the half-time interval, Kompany wisely replaced Musiala with Thomas Muller in the second half.