Jamal Musiala - the artist who can also use brute force

Sometimes it takes special moments from special players. On this cold, uncomfortable afternoon in Hamburg, Jamal Musiala had a brilliant idea. FC Bayern's usually graceful and fleet-flooted attacking artist simply walloped the ball from a good 25 metres out after good pressing to win possession in the St. Pauli half. The ball crashed off the underside of the crossbar and into the net to make it 1-0.

Bayern had also tried with the finer method at St. Pauli, such as when goalscorer Musiala attempted a back-heel in the fifth minute. But against the spirited and well-organised Kiezkicker, there was no way through. So it was the brute stroke of genius from the 21-year-old Germany international that gave the Reds the lead and ultimately sealed their fifth successive win in all competitions (the match report).

"It wasn't a typical situation that you strike from," explained midfielder Joshua Kimmich. "He won the ball back superbly in a counter-pressing situation, didn't have many passing options and thankfully decided to shoot. Sometimes you have to have a go and be rewarded."

After the match, Musiala appeared a little surprised himself by the power of his shot. In response to a reporter's comment that he didn't know the German international had such a shot, Musiala said: "I didn't either", and laughed: "I'm delighted and I signalled to [assistant coaches] Aaron Danks and René Marić. We've been practising shooting from distance in training. I always work on different things to improve myself."

More goal threat in Musiala's game

Through hard work, the attacker has enhanced his game in recent months, adding greater goal threat to his mazy dribbling and neat passing – and in different ways. He recently scored three headed goals and now a real long-range thunderbolt. "We said a few days ago, now he's scoring headed goals – unusual," said sporting Christoph Freund. "Now he's scoring long-range goals – that doesn't happen every day either. It was a super goal. He's scoring very important goals and is in great form."

Overall, Musiala has been in outstanding form for a number of weeks, often proving to be a difference maker. Bayern's number 42 has scored the opening goal on three occasions already in this Bundesliga campaign, netting six times in total in the last five competitive matches. "I've made steps forward," described the playmaker. "Last season, perhaps the goals and assists were lacking a bit. I'm trying to work on performing at a high level over many successive matches."

Musiala's remarkable away stat

The 21-year-old has also been an away-day specialist so far this season. He's been directly involved in at least one goal in all of Bayern's away Bundesliga matches, with all five of his league goals this term coming on the road.

Musiala's worth for Bayern

Musiala once again impressively demonstrated his importance to Bayern at St. Pauli. And so Thomas Müller was asked after the game about his team-mate's value for the side. "He's hard-working, has quality and the environment to play well," replied the Bavarian native, adding: "He's very important for our game because he does things that allow us to get forward productively and keep every line of defence busy. On a scale of 1 to 10? He plays in the 10 – so yes, he's close to that."

The post-match reaction: