2024-09-18 05:22:22
The German record champions played themselves into a frenzy against Dinamo Zagreb. The game began with a shock that had consequences. And in the second half, things got critical for a short time. But one man stood out.
Offside goals, penalties, a four-pack, two goals in two minutes – and an injury scare: FC Bayern Munich’s Champions League debut had everything to offer. In the end, the German record champions won 9:2 (3:0) against Dinamo Zagreb.
The outstanding Harry Kane with a four-pack (20th/penalty, 58th, 73rd/handball penalty, 78th/penalty), Raphaël Guerreiro (34th), Michael Olise (38th, 61st), Leroy Sané (85th) and Leon Goretzka (90th+2) scored for Munich. Bruno Petkovic (49th) and Takuya Ogiwara (51st) took advantage of a period of inattention at Bayern after the break, after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had to be substituted at half-time (read more about that here).
It is the biggest win ever for FC Bayern in the Champions League. In addition, three of Munich’s goals were disallowed for offside: Jamal Musiala (9th), Serge Gnabry (16th) and Kane (59th) were unlucky.
Bayern were dominant from the start against the “unwanted guest”, as a huge poster in the Dinamo block said. It developed into a one-sided game against an extremely defensive Croatian team. At first, however, the Munich team got stuck a few times.
The record champions needed a penalty after video evidence. Ronael Pierre-Gabriel fouled Aleksandar Pavlović, and Kane executed it with his usual ice-cold finish. Bayern kept up the pressure after that and often had an easy game against the modest Croatians. Guerreiro with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area and Olise with a header after a cross from Kimmich converted their superiority into further goals before the break.
At half-time, Sven Ulreich came on for goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had apparently been injured in a collision in the early stages. Ulreich had not yet fully got on the pitch when he had to reach behind him twice. Shortly afterwards, he even saved Bayern from equalising. But the nervousness soon ended. Leroy Sané also celebrated his season debut after groin surgery. In the final phase, Goretzka, who had not been part of the squad in the league recently, came on – and even scored.
For the strong Bayern, it was the fifth competitive win under Kompany. On October 2, the Munich team will face a much greater challenge at Aston Villa. Before that, there are games in Bremen and against champions Bayer Leverkusen to start a hot autumn in the league.