FC Bayern Munich made an impressive showing in the title fight on Matchday 32 of the Bundesliga: three hours before the game between Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach, coach Thomas Tuchel’s team won 6-0 (2-0) against FC Schalke 04, who were threatened with relegation. The lead of the leader of the table grew to four points, at least temporarily. However, BVB followed up with a thrashing victory over Gladbach, so that the gap is one point again.
Thomas Müller (21st), Joshua Kimmich from the penalty spot (29th), Serge Gnabry (50th and 65th), Mathys Tel (80th) and Noussair Mazraoui (90th + 3) scored for Bayern.
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FC Bayern Munich – FC Schalke 04: The analysis
Thomas Tuchel made two changes to his starting eleven compared to the 2-1 win against Werder Bremen. After two consecutive bench places and extensive discussions about his future, Thomas Müller was allowed to start, and Leroy Sané was also included in the starting XI. Ryan Gravenberch and Sadio Mané were eliminated, leaving five attacking players on the pitch in a 4-1-4-1 formation. When the opponents had possession of the ball, Jamal Musiala dropped next to sixer Joshua Kimmich.
The courageous orientation resulted in handsome, creative and also goal-oriented football. Serge Gnabry, who was called up as a center forward, was better involved in the combination game than last time, the ball generally ran well through the Munich ranks to the goal, especially on the strong right side. The numerous chances in the first half resulted in only two goals by Müller and Kimmich, Müller and Gnabry wasted further opportunities.
Schalke also made it very easy for FC Bayern in some cases: Despite a deep defensive block, the guests were repeatedly misaligned, for example with Müller’s goal to make it 1-0. He had an outrageous amount of space on the edge of the penalty area for his successful shot. Towards the end of the first half, Schalke gradually advanced – without any return – which gave FC Bayern large spaces after winning the ball.
After the change of sides, the pressure from Munich increased again, which resulted in Gnabry’s goal to make it 3-0. The game then flattened out, whereupon Schalke coach Thomas Reis made three changes and Tuchel also brought new strength. The Munich continued to dominate and added Gnabry, substitute Mathys Tel and Noussair Mazraoui, Schalke no longer rebelled.
FC Bayern Munich – FC Schalke: The voices of the game
Thomas Tuchel (Bayern Munich coach): “We combined faster and more fluently, never losing the basic order to protect ourselves against counterattacks – we were very attentive. It was the next step in the right direction, buried self-confidence is coming back. But there is no reason for euphoria, we will be tested again on Saturday.”
Thomas Reis (Schalke 04 coach): “It’s not so pleasant to sit here. The defeat is absolutely deserved, even at this level. We wanted to be courageous, and we almost didn’t succeed in that in the first half. We were too awed, Bayern had more will against the ball. The game was completely lost relatively quickly in the second half. But nothing much has changed in the starting position, we have to win the home game (against Frankfurt; ed.) and we will invest everything in that.”
The star of the game: Serge Gnabry (FC Bayern Munich)
Center forward Gnabry was much more involved in the game than in previous weeks. Went a long way, often falling back into central midfield. Wasted a chance, was unlucky with his powerful header shortly before the break, but after the change of sides, he first cheekily scored with a leg shot to make it 3-0 and then after a sprint and goalkeeper-loader to make it 4-0.
The flop of the match: Cédric Brunner (FC Schalke 04)
Schalke’s right-back was responsible for the penalty kick and was replaced at half-time with a yellow bias.
The referee: Robert Schroeder
Robert Schröder had the game well under control. The referee rightly gave FC Bayern a penalty for Cédric Brunner’s elbow blow against Musiala, before he had watched the scene again on the sidelines.
