Jamal Musiala was the star of the show as defending champions Bayern Munich produced a footballing masterclass away at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bayern Munich kick-started their 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign with a stunning 6-1 win away to UEFA Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday night.
What was seen as a potential banana peel turned into a romp as Julian Nagelsmann’s side took the game by the scruff of the neck and raced into a 5-0 deal by half-time. Joshua Kimmich opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Benjamin Pavard doubled it with a tenth-minute strike.
A shell-shocked Eintracht Frankfurt had no answer as Bayern kept up the initiative. Summer signing Sadio Mane made it two goals in two competitive appearances for Bayern Munich as he made it 3-0 just before the half-hour mark. The Senegalese international looks at home in red and appears to be more than an adequate replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
The star of the show was Jamal Musiala who put in a performance that was as close to perfect as possible. The youngster is one of the rising stars in world football and gave a teaser of his abilities in the DFL Super Cup against RB Leipzig. He continued from where he left off by being a constant menace for the Frankfurt defence.
6️⃣ goals to open our Bundesliga campaign ?
Which was your favourite? ⭐#MiaSanMia #SGEFCB pic.twitter.com/cUCdUfwquP
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) August 5, 2022
The 19-year-old ran the show and was heavily involved in the linkup play. He grabbed Bayern Munich’s fourth in the 35th minute before rounding off the night with an 83rd-minute strike. Musiala is certainly a player to watch out for this season.
German international Serge Gnabry also got in on the proceedings, getting his name on the scoresheet before half-time. Randal Kolo Muani pulled one back for the home side in the 63rd minute. But that was nothing more than a glorified consolation. The Hard Tackle looks at how the Bayern Munich players fared on the night.
Manuel Neuer: 6/10
The German legend had little to do at the back as Bayern Munich took the game to the opposition. He showed off his distribution and was involved in kick starting attacks from the back. He flustered when closed down by Randal Kolo Muani. losing the ball for Frankfurt’s consolation goal in the second half.
Alphonso Davies: 6/10
The marauding full-back was his usual self, bringing the ball forwards and playing high up the pitch. While his commitment cannot be questioned, he lacked the end product to make the difference. Davies was also uncharacteristically sloppy in possession and lost the ball 14 times. It could prove costly against top-tier opposition.
Lucas Hernandez: 7/10
Lucas Hernandez got off to a poor start, with Jesper Lindstom in particular giving him a difficult time. Thankfully for Bayern Munich, he regained his composure and went from strength to strength as the game wore on. The Frenchman made several excellent long passes and played a big role in Bayern gaining control of the field.
Dayot Upamecano: 7/10
The French international used his physicality and pace to good effect to thwart a toothless Eintracht Frankfurt attack. Upamecano was largely untroubled and had little to deal with, making his life easy at the back.
Benjamin Pavard: 8/10
Solid at the back and impressive going forward, Pavard was a constant menace down the right flank for Frankfurt. Thomas Muller largely drifted to central areas, giving him the right to romp up and down the flank as he pleased. The Frenchman doubled Bayern’s lead in the tenth minute, setting the stage of what was to come. A solid outing for a player whose future at the club is far from certain.
Joshua Kimmich: 9/10
The German international drew first blood with a clever free-kick that caught Kevin Trapp off guard in the fifth minute. Kimmich was Bayern’s general in the middle of the pitch and set about setting the pace of the game. He assisted Pavard for Bayern’s second while also playing a big part in Mane’s strike. Kimmich was also solid defensively and read Eintracht Frankfurt’s movements with excellent precision.
Marcel Sabitzer: 7/10
The Austrian international was the perfect foil to Kimmich and was solid on the night. He has stepped up massively in the absence of Leon Goretzka and has proven himself to be a reliable alternative. He made way early in the second half for debutant Ryan Gravenberch.
Jamal Musiala: 10/10
The 19-year-old was near flawless on the night and was the standout player in a team filled with giants. Musiala showed glimpses of what was in store against RB Leipzig in the Super Cup and that does not appear to have been a one off.
Musiala was not afraid to take a shot and had several pops at goal. He scored twice on the night and also played a key role in several of Bayern’s attacking moves. A huge season awaits the German international.
Jamal Musiala's game by numbers vs. Eintracht Frankfurt:
58 touches
8 duels won
7 passes into final ⅓
5 shots
4 shots on target
4 take-ons completed
4 ball recoveries
2 chances created
2 tackles made
2 Big Chances
2 fouls won
2 goalsStill only 19 years old. ? pic.twitter.com/YAx3YM51yw
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 5, 2022
Thomas Muller: 8/10
The veteran playmaker showed lovely link up play with Musiala as the duo wreaked havoc on the Eintracht Frankfurt backline. Muller made use of his intelligence and awareness to fashion together several moves that relied on his movement. He grabbed himself two assists and also had an early contender for the miss of the season.
Serge Gnabry: 8/10
An excellent outing for the German international, who recently penned a new contract. Gnabry has built up a solid rapport with Mane and linked up well with the former Liverpool man. He provided the assist for the Senegalese international’s goal and also got himself on the scoresheet.
Sadio Mane:9/10
Mane has taken to life in Germany like a fish to water and was a constant menace for Eintracht Frankfurt on the night. He linked up well with the attackers around him and enjoyed much joy upfront. Mane also got off to a scoring debut in his first Bundesliga match and will have a huge role to play for Bayern this season. The fact that Bayern did not miss Robert Lewandowski speaks for itself.
10 – Sadio Mane is the first player in 10 years to score in each of his first two appearances for FC Bayern München in all competitions. Most recently Mario Mandzukic had managed that feat at the start of the 2012-13 season. Adaptable. #SGEFCB pic.twitter.com/nThCDYp8Vv
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) August 5, 2022
SUBSTITUTES
Ryan Gravenberch: 6/10
A decent debut for the Dutch youngster who replaced Sabitzer early in the second half. With Bayern 5-0 up, he could take it easy and bring himself to speed in the Bundesliga. His passing looked to be on point in what was an uninspiring but solid debut.
Leroy Sane: 7/10
The German winger failed to assist Mane on the night but redeemed himself by aiding Musiala to grab his second goal of the game.
Mathys Tel: 7/10
At 17 years and 100 days, Tel is now the second youngest Bayern player to make his Bundesliga debut. He appeared unfazed by the occasion and gave a good account of himself on the night. His ability to make decisive passes particularly stood out in the game.
Matthijs de Ligt: N/A
The Dutchman made his debut for Bayern against Eintracht Frankfurt after the big money move from Juventus earlier in the summer. Matthijs de Ligt could have scored late on but failed to make the necessary adjustments to cap off his night beautifully.
Noussair Mazraoui: N/A
Mazraoui replaced Pavard but lacked the Frenchman’s impetus and drive. Arguably Bayern’s least impressive of the summer signings on the night.
