Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig celebrate shooting festivals

Record champions Bayern Munich passed the acid test at RB Salzburg at the start of the year with flying colors and gained a lot of self-confidence for the start of the Bundesliga.

The Munich team won 6-0 (3-0) against the Austrian runner-up on Monday (January 6, 2025) after a strong performance and were ready for the away game at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday.

Neuer and Gnabry are still spared

Central defender Eric Dier (10th) after a corner, veteran Thomas Müller (24th), winger Michael Olise (29th, 48th) with a brace, Joshua Kimmich (56th) with a long-range shot and young player Jonathan Asp Jensen (76th). ensured the success of the Munich team, who had to do without the ailing exceptional talent Jamal Musiala.

Manuel Neuer and Serge Gnabry were also missing from the Bundesliga leaders’ squad, but are expected to return on Saturday after recovering from injuries, according to sports director Christoph Freund.

Simons back and twice as successful

With returnee Xavi Simons as a double goalscorer, RB Leipzig has warmed up for the restart in the Bundesliga. In the test match against the hopeless Czech third division team FK Banik Most-Sous, coach Marco Rose’s team clearly won 10-0 (6-0) on Monday.

Attacker Benjamin Sesko was the Saxons’ best scorer with four goals, while hopeful Xavi scored twice. National player David Raum was also successful. The Dutch international Xavi injured his left ankle in the Champions League game against Liverpool FC (0-1) at the end of October and had been sorely missed ever since. Room was also canceled for a longer period before the turn of the year.

Hoffenheim wins with Sturm newcomer Orban

With million-dollar striker Gift Orban’s debut, TSG Hoffenheim got a good feeling for the approaching start of the year in the Bundesliga. The Kraichgauer team defeated league rivals FC Augsburg 3-1 (0-1) in a friendly on Monday. The game took place behind closed doors and lasted twice for 60 minutes.

The Nigerian Orban, who according to media reports moved from Olympique Lyon to TSG for a fee of nine million euros, was used in the first half. The goals for Hoffenheim were scored by Haris Tabakovic (74th, 90th) and 3-1 by Erencan Yardimci (100th). Elvis Rexhbecaj (11th) put FCA in the lead.