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Match Report: Bayern Munich 6-1 FC Magdeburg
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- Match Report: Bayern Munich 6-1 FC Magdeburg
(Photo by F. Noever/FC Bayern via Getty Images) | FC Bayern via Getty Images
Bayern Munich defeated second-tier side FC Magdeburg 6-1 in the second round of the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday.
After some early drama, Bayern — still missing head coach Vincent Kompany after his recent hospitalization and dealing with numerous injury absences—settled in and cruised on a jubilant evening at the Allianz Arena. Recently crowned Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane enjoyed a night off as a heavily rotated side under interim manager Aaron Danks prepared for this weekend's huge Der Klassiker against level-on-points Borussia Dortmund.
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It was a game that featured both new acquisitions and rising youngsters. Ismael Saibari flashed brilliance and composure in front of goal to get the scoring started, darting into the box and laying off to Michael Olise to tap in a 10th-minute opening goal.
However, before Bayern could rest easy—and bring on the academy talent — Magdeburg fired a warning shot and then some through a stupendous strike from outside the box by Mateusz Żukowski just five minutes later. The shot, which came earlier than expected and also deflected off defender Hiroki Itō, left Bayern keeper Jonas Urbig rooted to the spot.
Saibari soon restored the Bayern advantage, however, this time with Olise as the supplier. Another lively run into the box, another cutting ball played through the defensive lines, and this time capped off with a well-placed chip over goalkeeper Dominik Reimann.
The visitors gave a good account of themselves throughout the first half, even striking the post just before halftime. But Bayern kept the one-goal advantage heading into the break and exploded out of the gates afterward.
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Canadian left-back/winger Alphonso Davies entered for forward Serge Gnabry and proved to be an instant impact. By the 50th minute, he had won a penalty—coolly lofted home by Michael Olise from the spot in Kane's absence—and followed that up with a quick-fire goal (70') and assist (73'). Bayern's 18-year-old maestro Lennart Karl provided the incisive pass on the first of those, and summer signing Nathaniel Brown, who like Davies continues to defy positional pigeon-holing despite being a nominal left-back, scrambled in the second.
It was a passing showcase for Bayern, who despite Magdeburg's compact shape were able to cut through time and again, particularly in the second half. And if this has been an uneven sophomore campaign for Karl to date, this was a night for the young man to answer his critics.
Bayern got a glimpse at the future, too. Two promising youngsters, Tim Binder (75') and David Santos Daiber (82'), were afforded extended cameo appearances on account of the scoreline. Santos Daiber got on the scoresheet himself with a sizzling shot from range as stoppage time ticked away.
Bayern is barreling on with a full head of steam and kicks off against Dortmund on Halloween at 1:30 PM EDT. Save the tricks, we're in for a treat.
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