Bayern Munich: Takeaways from 9-2 demolition of Dinamo Zagreb

On Tuesday, Bayern Munich got their 24/25 European Champions League campaign off to a fabulous start with an emphatic 9-2 victory at the Allianz Arena over Dinamo Zagreb. The format of the competition may be new but it was a victory as usual for Bayern as they extended their record for consecutive opening-game wins in the competition to 21.

It was truly a historical night in Bavaria as many new team and individual records were broken. However, from a game that provided almost as many takeaways as it did goals, we now cast our focus on major takeaways.

Splendid squad rotation once again

With Sacha Boey ruled out for an indefinite period due to injury, Joshua Kimmich was expected to start at right-back against Dinamo Zagreb. Conventional wisdom would have suggested Konrad Laimer as an option so that Kimmich could continue to excel in the midfield. Surprisingly, Vincent Kompany started the left-footed Raphaël Guerreiro in the right-back position. Alphonso Davies effectively replaced Sacha Boey in the starting XI as the Canadian started in his natural left-back position.

There were two other changes made in the starting XI that started on the weekend in the 6-1 hammering of Holstein Kiel. Aleksandar Pavlovic got the nod over João Palhinha to partner Kimmich in the midfield double pivot. Meanwhile, Kingsley Coman made room for Michael Olise in the attack. The 22-year-old started on the right wing with Serge Gnabry switching over to the left.