Bayern Munich notched up five goals against struggling Eintracht Frankfurt, in the opening Bundesliga game of the year on Friday. Sadio Mane took the spotlight on his debut with a goal under his belt.
The Bavarians outclassed the Europa League winner, which faces Real Madrid in the Super Cup next week, Sadio Mane who netted in last week’s German Super Cup win over RB Leipzig, was among five scorers in a scorching first half with all Bayern’s goals coming in a span of 38 minutes.
Bayern Munich dominates First Half with outstanding Goals
“The first half was outstanding I must say,” Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “I don’t think it will always be like that but after two matches we can be satisfied.”
“The energy we have in our game is really good,” he said.
Jamal Musiala got two goals and Joshua Kimmich, Benjamin Pavard and Serge Gnabry also scored as Bayern showed no ill effect from Robert Lewandowski’s summer transfer to Barcelona.
“We have to find new ways to score,” Musiala said of Lewandowski’s departure, “because he always scored 40 goals a season.” Bayern Munich sheer dominance against the team that won the Europa League last season shows why it remains the firm favorite for a record-extending 11th consecutive title.
Joshua Kimmich opened Bayern’s account with an terrific free kick that went in off the post and Benjamin Pavard drilled in the second six minutes later just before Eintracht hit the woodwork through Tuta. Thomas Mueller had what could become one of the misses of the season when he hit the post from close range and then also failed to score on the rebound.
But Mane did much better in the 29th, heading home a Serge Gnabry cross to make it 3-0. He then sent Mueller through to set up Jamal Musiala for its fourth in the 35th with a simple tap-in and the Eintracht defence in tatters. Gnabry also got onto the scoresheet two minutes before the break, burying any thoughts that Bayern may struggle in attack after the departure of striker Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.
Eintracht, which will play in the Champions League this season, was livelier after the break as Bayern eased off and it pounced on goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s error outside the box to score through Randal Kolo Muani in the 64th. Musiala, however, wrapped up the scoring when he latched onto Leroy Sane’s assist to slot in his second goal of the evening seven minutes from time to complete the rout.