There had been question marks ahead of the encounter with St. Pauli. How would FC Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany react to Alphonso Davies’ and Dayot Upamecano’s injuries in terms of personnel and tactics? How would the table-toppers cope without the two key players? How long would it take to get back into rhythm after the international break, two consecutive league matches without a victory and the pressure from Leverkusen, who had cut the gap to three points on Friday?
“After an international break it’s important to get back into it,” sporting director Christoph Freund emphasised after the final whistle. At first it seemed as if FC Bayern were highly alert – Joshua Kimmich teed up Leon Goretzka, who saw his powerful header saved by keeper Nikola Vasilj after just one minute. But the 75,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena soon saw Bayern had not fully found their rhythm. Jonas Urbig, who again replaced the injured Manuel Neuer in goal, only just tipped a cross-cum-shot over the bar (8’).
“We didn’t play well in the first half”
Bayern lacked the authority and dominance before half-time. “We didn’t play well in the first half,” commented CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen – which boosted St. Pauli with every minute, especially when Jackson Irvine’s header crashed off the crossbar after 14 minutes. Maybe the visitors, who boast one of the league’s best defences, were so surprised by their chances that they were out of focus. Defender Siebe Van der Heyden soon gifted the ball away under pressure from Jamal Musiala, who set up Michael Olise, with Harry Kane slotting home to hand Bayern the lead. The England captain put an end to his Bundesliga drought with his 22nd goal this campaign after 340 minutes without a goal. St. Pauli had been the only Bundesliga team against whom the 31-year-old had not scored. “I think the difference was that Bayern didn’t give anything away and we did,” forward Elias Saad commented after the game.
The opener boosted Munich for a while, but chances came ant went for Raphaël Guerreiro, who made his 200th Bundesliga appearance, Joshua Kimmich and Olise.
Dissatisfied at half-time
It seemed as if a second goal was coming, but St. Pauli pressed aggressively and attacked down the wings. The visitors deservedly levelled the scores when Manolis Saliakas made the most of Bayern’s coordination problems, with Saad converting his low cross (27’). Munich lacked the cutting edge, and while they enjoyed 70 percent possession, St. Pauli won more tackles (60 percent). Herry Kane soon found the net, but his goal was chalked off for offside (29’).
Decisive wake-up call
But the goal was a decisive wake-up call: Olise and Musiala were increasingly involved in attack. Olise’s delicate chip soon found Musiala, whose chip went wide. The latter soon sidestepped Eric Smith in the box and Leroy Sané beat keeper Nikola Vasilj, but Van der Heyde blocked his shot (35’). Bayern had the better chances now, but St. Pauli were still dangerous up front. Eric Dier, who replaced Upamecano at centre-back, stifled most of them, but Munich rued their missed chances with the scores level at half-time.
Bayern were more forcing after the restart and Jonas Urbig’s long ball soon found Kane on the halfway line, with Olise’s volley releasing Sané, who left Vasilj without a chance. It was Sané’s eighth goal and Olise’s ninth assist so far this campaign. “I had very little time to think, but I felt very much at ease from the start,” Urbig said after his flawless performance, “because the team welcomed me very well. I was able to focus on my performance in training from the start.”
Bayern were completely in control after the goal and carved open the defence. Olise hit the side-netting and a cross only just evaded Musiala before the latter hit the woodwork from Sané’s cutback (68’), but Bayern won more tackles now (56 percent). “St. Pauli have been well-organised throughout the entire season. They concede few goals and allow few chances,” said Vincent Kompany: “In the first half we allowed them a lot, but in the second half in particular we created good chances. Taken altogether I’m satisfied with the result and our performance.“
Defence-splitting one-two
Kane and Olise shone with a defence-splitting one-two to invite Sané to round off his fourth Bundesliga brace (70’). “We did a good job, we were dominant and 3-1 in the lead,” commented Kane. Sané had never before scored nine goals in one campaign. FC Bayern now attacked with verve and ease but missed their chances to make it for. “We didn’t play well in the first half, we did a better job in the second half and could have scored a few more goals,” said Jan-Christian Dreesen: “It was unnecessary to make it exciting again towards the end.” Sub Hiroki Ito soon charged down the left and cut back to Musiala, but the Germany international miscued.
Injury dampens delight at home victory
It seemed as if the game was over until Ito had to be subbed off. “He felt something in the foot that’s already caused problems this season, but we have to wait for the examination,” said Kompany. FC Bayern were a man down in added time and St. Pauli exploited it straightaway. Jonas Urbig made a fine save when he kept out a deflected shot, but Lars Ritzka was allowed to run over the halfway line and pulled one back in added time.
Highest win rate in Europe’s top leagues
“The late goal and Ito’s injury are annoying of course,” commented Harry Kane: “The last few minutes were a bit hectic this way. But it’s good to get into it with a win again, it’s a good feeling.” Bayern went on to win their 11th out of 12 Bundesliga home matches – no club in Europe’s big five leagues boasts a higher win rate than Munich (86 percent). “It was important to maintain our six-point lead. It’s a close race in the championship, it was important today, and we’re glad we won,” said Dreesen. President Herbert Hainer added: “I’m satisfied. At the end of the day we won, we’re six points clear and must make sure it’ll be enough until the end of the season:”
FC Bayern provided answers to the most urgent questions with their home victory. “We conceded two goals again, we must remedy that,” commented Freund: “We must finish off such matches with more aplomb. It’s crucial to focus on ourselves.” But the look in the mirror will encourage Bayern regarding the upcoming tasks: Munich are enjoying their best Bundesliga campaign in seven years on 65 points from 27 matches.
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