Viktoria Koln 0-5 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• The scoreline doesn’t reflect it, but that was a workmanlike victory by Bayern Munich. Viktoria Koln played way better than their position in the football pyramid may suggest, but in the end the quality difference was just too big.
• Huge debuts for both Mathys Tel and Ryan Gravenberch, who showed us a hint of what they could be capable of in a Bayern shirt. Noussair Mazraoui, meanwhile, has a little sharpening up to do if he’s going to unseat Benjamin Pavard.
• Good to see Leon Goretzka back on the pitch after so long. He seems to be pretty fit.
• Ben-Alex Voll had a Sommer of a performance. Any other keeper would have conceded 10 with the chances Bayern had.
• Bayern Munich are through to the second round of the DFB Pokal. This means two games a week all the way till the world cup. Can Nagelsmann keep his squad fit for the entire guantlet?

Full time: Bayern Munich win 5-0.

82’ — GOAL! Leon Goretzka makes it 5-0! What a run!

67’ — GOAL! Jamal Musiala makes it 4-0! Awesome team goal.

62’ — Subs: Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane coming on for Sadio Mane and Mathys Tel.

53’ — GOAL! Sadio Mane assisted by Serge Gnabry! These two love to link up.

45’ — The second half kicks off!

Halftime: Bayern Munich lead 1-0.

45’ — GOAL! Mathys Tel scored a screamer! Assist from Gravenberch!

34’ — GOAL! Ryan Gravenberch makes it 1-0 against baby Sommer.

20’ — Goodness. Viktoria unlocked Bayern for a moment and got the ball in the back of the net. Thank good ness it was offside.

Kickoff: We’re underway! The DFB also finally provided a link to watch online, here. Why it couldn’t just be on YouTube I don’t know.

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Looks like Julian Nagelsmann has opted to start Sadio Mane yet again with Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry up top for Bayern Munich. Mathys Tel makes his first start, as does Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui. Matthijs de Ligt also starts at the back, while Manuel Neuer is rested for Sven Ulreich.

After a long hiatus from the competition, Bayern Munich are back in the DFB Pokal! After two seasons of consecutive 2nd round knockouts, the Bavarians are looking to go all the way this year. First up is 3rd division side Viktoria Koln, who will be playing at the 50,000 capacity Rhein Energie Stadion.

Julian Nagelsmann will want to rotate for this one. Aside from Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Muller, the vast majority of the starting XI are set to get some rest. Operating in their place will be newer players like Mathys Tel, Ryan Gravenberch, Noussair Mazraoui, and Matthijs de Ligt. For many of them, this will be the first time they get to show off their talents. The Pokal journey begins here.

It’s Bayern time.

While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our preview podcast? It covers both Gladbach and Viktoria Koln so maybe skip ahead a bit. Listen to it below or at this link.

Match Info

Location: RheinEnergieStadion, Munich, Germany

Time: 8:45 pm local time, 2:45 pm EST

TV/streaming: DFB Tv, Find Your Country

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