Thomas Tuchel smiled. The Bayern Munich coach was more happy about the confidently completed compulsory task at Darmstadt 98 than his slight worries about Harry Kane and Aleksandar Pavlovic.
The English goalscorer and the top talent had to be replaced in the 5:2 (2:1) defeat at the bottom of the table.
Thanks to the dream duo Kane and Jamal Musiala, Munich have at least temporarily reduced the gap to Bayer Leverkusen to seven points.
“We stuck with it. We created and took advantage of the chances. We also had different players like Jamal on the pitch,” said captain Manuel Neuer on Sky.
The goalkeeper was annoyed about the two goals conceded. They were “significantly too much”: “We have to talk about that.”
FC Bayern defeats the short away curse
After Tim Skarke went behind (28′), Kane prepared Musiala’s equalizer (36′) and followed up with his 31st goal of the season (45’+1). Musiala (64th) after a fantastic solo and substitutes Serge Gnabry (74th) and Mathys Tel (90th + 3) increased.
Despite Oscar Vilhelmsson’s late goal (90+5), Bayern defeated the short away curse after four games and are looking forward to the previously unbeaten Werkself’s game at SC Freiburg on Sunday (3.30 p.m./DAZN).
Tuchel had emphasized in advance that his team had to “deliver in order to stick with it,” and he promised: “We won’t stumble.”
Manuel Neuer is back after a short maternity break
In comparison to the resounding win against FSV Mainz 05 (8:1), the Munich coach brought Raphael Guerreiro and Aleksandar Pavlovic, who was recently suspended and was nominated for the DFB team for the first time, into the starting line-up. Neuer reported back after a short maternity break.
The national goalkeeper was immediately in the spotlight after a dominant initial phase for Bayern with few compelling finishes. With a strong reflex, Neuer parried against Mathias Honsak (16th). Bayern, who had discussed Arsenal’s quarter-final draw and a possible premier class final against Borussia Dortmund before the game, struggled offensively.
The Munich team controlled the game, but couldn’t find a way through the passionate SVD defense – and couldn’t prevent individual needle pricks from the lilies. Skarke coldly completed one of the rare attacks by the outsider, who had been defeated 8-0 in the first leg in Munich.
FC Bayern: Worries about Harry Kane and Aleksandar Pavlovic
Despite the deficit, the guests remained patient. Musiala initially missed carelessly (32′), but shortly afterwards the national player equalized from close range after Kane’s preparatory work.
It was also Kane who got Bayern back on track with his head and set a personal record – he never scored more times in a league season. Vilhelmsson missed the direct answer with a hit on the crossbar (45th + 2).
The second half in the sold-out stadium at the Böllenfalltor started with a moment of shock for Bayern, Pavlovic had to leave the field in a daze with a head injury. Even without the youngster, the guests remained the team that dominated the game.
The strong Musiala made things clearer with his third goal after one of his inimitable dribbles. Gnabry also scored after being substituted on. Musiala was unlucky with a shot against the crossbar (78th). Kane then hit the post and limped off the field.
Bundesliga: The parallel games on matchday 26
FC Bayern Munich: Darmstadt 98 vs. FCB
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