Bayern Munich Continue Impressive Start Under Vincent Kompany With 4-0 DFB-Pokal Win
Bayern Munich eased into the second round of the DFB-Pokal with a comfortable 4-0 victory away at second division newcomers Ulm on Friday.
Thomas Müller stole the show with a quickfire double inside the opening 15 minutes to set the Bavarians on their way.
Kingsley Coman and Harry Kane added further goals in the second half to seal a routine win for the record cup winners (20 titles/last in 2020).
It was a solid start to the competitive campaign for new Bayern boss Vincent Kompany, who has wasted no time in putting his stamp on the team.
The Belgian has been ruthless in his team selection, dropping Leon Goretzka from the squad despite the midfielder being fit.
Sport director Max Eberl sent a clear message to Goretzka before kick-off: “We have a very, very good squad, we have strengthened again in midfield. Joshua Kimmich is coming back into midfield. And players know when their situation can be difficult. We have communicated that clearly.”
But Goretzka’s rival in central midfield, João Palhinha (who cost €49.5m from Fulham), was also initially named on the bench, as was Bayern’s most expensive summer signing Michael Olise (signed for €51m from Crystal Palace).
However, the duo made their competitive debuts for the record champions late on, with Olise setting up Coman’s goal two minutes after coming off the bench.
Top scorer Harry Kane was also rested initially, only coming on for Musiala after 60 minutes.
It was a comfortable afternoon for Bayern, who controlled the game from start to finish.
The hosts had a glorious chance to take the lead early on when Krattenmacher fired wide after a mistake by Kim.
But Müller’s quickfire double put Bayern in control and they never looked back.
The victory maintains Bayern’s impressive start to the season under Kompany and suggests that they could be a force to be reckoned with both domestically and in Europe this season.