Jamal Musiala dazzles on return to action for Bayern Munich

Jamal Musiala played 30 minutes against Barcelona in the midweek UCL game, but it wasn’t until Sunday against Bochum that he got his first start for Bayern Munich after being sidelined for three weeks with a hip injury.

The 21-year-old missed two important games against Stuttgart and Frankfurt. He was also ruled out for Germany's clashes against Bosnia Herzegovina and the Netherlands during the international break at the start of October.

Thomas Müller deputized Musiala in the attacking midfield role for Bayern. The veteran started against Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Barcelona. Müller was substituted for Musiala in Barcelona, but the game was already beyond saving by then as the score stood at 4–1 in favor of the Catalans. 

Musiala shows no signs of rustiness against Bochum

Musiala's name finally returned to the starting XI sheet for Sunday's Bundesliga game against VfL Bochum. The young midfielder was back like he never left as he hit the ground running right from the first minute. 

Whether it’s taking on defenders in 1v1s or attacking space with clever runs, Musiala was pretty much involved in everything that took place in the attacking phases for Bayern. Often he also dropped behind and helped in moving the ball upfield during the buildup. 

The 21-year-old’s first big highlight came when he netted the second goal of the evening for Bayern with a cheeky header past Patric Drewes, but it was all about his deceptive run which Kimmich’s free kick found perfectly. This was only Musiala’s third headed goal of his career which the player himself has recognized as one of his non-strenghts. While talking to DAZN, Musiala explained the execution of the smart freekick from Kimmich.

"I made eye contact with Joshua and went for the header. It’s cool to score a header because it’s not a strength of mine."

- Jamal Musiala

Musiala’s next big involvement came when he set up Harry Kane’s goal, which was Bayern’s third of the game. It started with a brilliant nutmeg on Bochum’s Erhan Mašović, followed by a perfectly timed pass to find the English international who made no mistake in burying it. 

The 21-year-old was taken off for Müller in the 61st minute. Musiala completed 4 dribbles in the game (most by any player) and also created three big chances. He has four goals and one assist to his name in the Bundesliga this season. The young attacking midfielder is hoping Bayern will continue to score more goals.

Bochum away hasn't always been a park in the walk for the Bavarian club as before yesterday's game, Bayern had lost two out of their last three games in the Ruhrstadion. Musiala played a big role in helping Die Roten to come away with three points.

Bayern have scored a bucketful of goals under Vincent Kompany this season. With 29 goals scored and only seven conceded in the eight league games, Die Roten are head and shoulders above any other team in terms of goal difference. With their main creative spark now back and fully fit, Kompany's team can aim to be even more threatening going forward. They face FSV Mainz next in the second round of DFB Pokal on Wednesday.

(All stats courtesy: Fotmob)