FC Bayern has clinched its first win of the new year. Coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team won the DFB Cup round of 16 against FSV Mainz 05 4-0 (3-0). The winners, losers and the grades as well as individual reviews of the FCB pros.
Winner: Joao Cancelo
Made his starting XI debut just a day after his commitment. The newcomer interpreted his surprising role as a right winger in a strikingly offensive way – and rewarded his bilious performance with an assist (17th). In addition with some dangerous passes in the interface. Little challenged defensively because he hardly gave the Mainz left side any room to breathe. That makes you want more – and must be rewarded by Nagelsmann with a view to the Wolfsburg game on Sunday! Grade: 1.5.
Winner: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Set an exclamation point again in the striker discussion, which has recently flared up again slightly – the same applies to his contract, which expires in the summer. When he scored to make it 1-0, he shone after Cancelo’s cross with good positional play and his callousness. At 3: 0 then with a beautiful chopping template to Sané. Rating: 1.5.
Loser: Aaron Martin
Was almost lost against Cancelo. He couldn’t get a hold of the Portuguese for a second and often let himself be disturbed when he pressed. Significant: Martin only got into a duel once – and he lost that too. He was redeemed at the break. grade: 5
Sommer – Pavard, Upamecano (64th Blind), de Ligt – Kimmich – Cancelo (71st Davies), Sané (71st Goretzka), Musiala, Coman – Müller (64th Gravenberch) – Choupo-Moting (69th Gnabry)
yellow cards
Widmer (24th), Hack (46th) / Müller (38th)
Yellow-red cards
Hack (86.)
Red cards
Svenson (82nd)
FC Bayern: goalkeeper
Yan Summers: By far the most uneventful day for the Swiss since moving to Bayern. There was no shot on goal in the first half. After the break, with a bit of luck, Anthony Caci’s shot just missed the goal. This is also the case with Aymen Barkok’s chance (68th). Grade: 3.5.
FC Bayern: Defense
Benjamin Pavard: Despite Cancelo’s offensive drive, made no mistakes. Because of him, the man in front had so much freedom. The Frenchman should be set as the right part in the back three. Grade: 2.5.
Dayot Upamecano: The central linchpin of Bayern’s back three and the origin of almost every game opening. But with two lack of concentration, which were not used by Mainz. A little throwback to the shaky first season, even if it never really got dicey. After about an hour he got a break. grade: 4
Matthijs de Ligt: Confirmed the good form he’s been showing since the World Cup. Solid except for a few bad passes. Stifled one or the other promising Mainz chance with good tackles in the bud. Even had a chance to score (41st). Note 3.
FC Bayern: Midfield
João Cancelo: Allowed long-running Alphonso Davies the much-needed break – and not only convinced as an assistant. Hit some good crosses. Also as a passing station an enrichment for the offensive game. The only point of criticism: His header into the middle, which led to Mainz’s best chance (68th). Now the only question that remains is how he fares against stronger opponents in the game against the ball. After 70 minutes his working day was over. Rating: 1.5.
Joshua Kimmich: Protected as the only defensive midfielder to allow those in front to twirl at will. Almost scored a goal, but his sly free kick from a tight angle hit the post (39′). Before the 3:0 he won the decisive duel – in the air. Nice cross to Davies when he scored to make it 4-0 (83rd). Grade: 2.
Kinsgley Coman: In a somewhat unusual function as a left wing, who sometimes had to make the way all the way to the back due to the back three. However, that did not fall victim to his offensive urge – almost scored the early 1-0. Grade: 2.5.
Leroy Sane: Arranged a little more centrally than usual, but still more in the right hemisphere. Until his goal to make it 3-0 (43rd), however, he was the most inconspicuous Munich offensive player. Even had the 4:0 on the foot shortly afterwards. Grade: 2.5.
Jamal Musiala: Also enjoyed a lot of freedom, even if he was mostly to be found slightly offset to the left behind the strikers – and that did him good. He had significantly more access than in the first three games of the year. His goal to make it 2-0 was the reward he deserved (30th). Grade: 2.
FC Bayern: Attack
Thomas Müller: Always took quick steps to the front when his neighbors got the ball in the half-spaces. Beautiful acceptance of the ball before his pass to Musiala at his goal. It was due to Finn Dahmen that he didn’t appear on the scoreboard himself (53′). But more than unnecessary: the yellow card for complaining. Grade: 2.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: Dropped occasionally, tying up balls. Granted the Mainz defense only a few rest periods. Almost scored a second time (23′). Strong performance. Rating: 1.5.
FC Bayern: Substitute
Daley Blind: Substituted for the shaky Upamecano in the 64th minute and made his Bayern debut. He took over the left part in the back three and did nothing wrong. Grade: 3.5.
Ryan Gravenberch: Came into play for Müller in the 65th minute to stabilize the center after the somewhat wild initial phase after the break. Brief moment of shock when he stopped after a duel. But it went on for him. With a good degree. Grade: 3.5.
Alphonso Davies: Was allowed to get in for Cancelo in the closing stages (71′) and positioned himself on the left. Did some work again and actually scored with a header shortly before the end. No rating.
Leon Goretzka: Returned to the field after a short injury break. Sané went off the field for him (71st). Didn’t have any action worth mentioning. No rating.
Serge Gnabry: Entered the court after 79 minutes for the strong Choupo-Moting. Showed his class only to a limited extent. No rating.
