On Friday, Germany’s winger Leroy Sané starred and scored on his Bayern debut, and at 17 years, 205 days, Jamal Musiala became Bayern’s youngest goalscorer ever.
The winless streak by Schalke stretched to seventeen games, Bayern extended its winning run to 22. Serge Gnabry scored a three and that’s hat trick, and Sané put together two goals. By halftime, it was 3-0, and Bayern missed a host of opportunities.
“They were all so hungry. We all looked forward to the fresh start and only wanted to strike, “said Sané, a former Schalke player who entered Bayern in the offseason from Manchester City.
Despite plans for 7,500 spectators to attend, the game took place without the fans. An increase in local infections with coronavirus prompted the authorities to row back.
“That’s a massive blast. We were always looking forward to our supporters, “said Hasan Salihamidžić, Bayern sporting director, before kickoff.
After winning the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, the team showed no ill impact from the absence of fans, nor the short break of 26 days.
It was the most significant opening night victory since 2016 when Werder Bremen was routed 6-0 by Bayern.
In the fourth minute, Gnabry brought the side off to a flying start, taking Joshua Kimmich’s midfield pass, switching in the direction to elude Schalke captain Benjamin Stambouli, then unleashing a fine strike with his left boot inside the left.
After being set up by Sané, Robert Lewandowski almost made it 2-0 a minute later, but Sebastian Rudy managed to deflect the Polish striker’s shot with
Schalke managed to hold on until the 19th when Leon Goretzka scored with Thomas Müller laying the ball back against his former side.
Shortly afterwards, Sané brilliantly set up Lewandowski, but the Polish striker fired at him.
Lewandowski eventually got off the mark in the 31st from the penalty spot, after Ozan Kabak had fouled him.
Niklas Süle – – a central defender – hit the post, and before the break, Bayern missed other opportunities.
Sané set Gnabry’s second goal in the 47th – his first club assist – and repeated the trick to help his teammate from Germany finish his hat trick in the 59th.
In the 69th, Lewandowski set Müller up by wrapping his right boot behind his left leg, a rabona pass, 2 minutes before Kimmich set up Sané at his first goal.
In the 72nd Sané made way for Musiala to make his second appearance in the Bundesliga. The English midfielder, who was 17, picked his first goal in the 81st.
Bayern board member Oliver Kahn discussed the lack of social distancing of club officials during the game.
TV pictures showed at least 10 Bayern officials sitting together without wearing masks, including Chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge, Kahn, President Herbert Hainer, and his predecessor, Uli Hoenes.
