On Wednesday night, Bayern traveled to fellow Bundesliga side Mainz 05, in the second round of the DFB Pokal and emerged 4-0 winners on the back of a hat-trick from Jamal Musiala.
It was at this stage of the competition Bayern were humiliatingly knocked out by third tier side Saarbrücken last season. Bayern had also fallen at this stage in three of the last four seasons. Therefore, it was important Bayern took this game seriously and professionally.
Fortunately, Vincent Kompany agreed, picking the following XI; Neuer - Laimer, Dier, Kim, Davies - Kimmich, Palhinha - Gnabry, Musiala, Gnabry - Kane. Dayot Upamecano missed the game with a bruised thigh.
Sublime Jamal Musiala fires Bayern Munich to comfortable win
It would be the dream start for Bayern. Davies played the ball into Kane, who put Musiala through on goal with a first time pass. The 21-year old kept his composure and fired the ball into the bottom corner.
Bayern would then have to be patient, having a lot of possession against a very deep Mainz side. Their next best opportunity came after 27 minutes, when a Sané effort was parried to Gnabry, who could not finish off an open goal from a couple of yards out, albeit from a tight angle.
However, after 37 minutes — it was 2-0. A cross ricocheted to Musiala at the back post, who was johnny on the spot to head home and get his second goal of the game.
We were a minute into first half stoppage time, when a Mainz free-kick was cut out and resulted in a dangerous counter attack. Kane found Davies galloping down the left hand side, as the Canadian then slipped Sané through on goal, who kept his composure to fire the ball across goal and into the bottom corner. After no goals since April 30, the 28-year old now has 2 in 2.
It would still not be the final goal of the half, however. Laimer made a bursting run down the right hand side, with his cut-back taking a couple of deflections before falling to Musiala all of a yard out, as he smashed the ball home.
That goal would be Musiala’s hat-trick, the first of his career, and all before half-time, giving Bayern a healthy 4-0 lead heading into the break.
At half-time, Kompany made two changes — as Tel and Müller replaced Musiala and Kane. With 58 minutes on the clock, Kompany brought Guerreiro and Goretzka on for Davies and Kim, as some other players got their well earned rest.
There were around 15 minutes to go when the first event of note in the second half occured. Goretzka’s header from a set piece was saved, with the 29-year old well placed to score. After 77 minutes, Dier had to be withdrawn through injury, and was replaced by Arijon Ibrahimović.
That was that, and Bayern secured a very comfortable win, whilst being able to give rest to a number of key players. A great night at the office.