FC Bayern wins again in the Champions League. Thomas Müller has spectacular actions at the front and back. Someone else is not having a good day.
The young stars Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise were grinning on the pitch, the fans were singing about Munich’s true love, and the otherwise royal blue Schalke Arena was bathed in red. Despite major personnel concerns and initial difficulties, FC Bayern celebrated a befitting victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the “home game” in Gelsenkirchen. The 5:1 (2:1) in the record champions’ 300th Champions League game was the next step towards the loudly proclaimed “title at home”.
“That was very nice, we didn’t start that well, but we kept our heads up and everyone can have fun: Michael or me. Everyone can show something,” said Musiala on Amazon Prime after the final whistle. The in-form national player described the title as a “dream”, but curbed the euphoria: “We have to make sure we keep getting better as a team.”
In front of 57,079 spectators, mostly Bayern fans, in the Schalke Arena, which serves as the Ukrainian champions’ home stadium in the European Cup due to the Russian war of aggression, the Munich team fell behind early on. The Brazilian Kevin (5th) overcame Daniel Peretz, who made his debut in the premier class as a replacement for the injured Manuel Neuer, with the first shot on goal. It was the first goal conceded by Munich against Schalke in nine years. But ultimately Bayern were too strong.
Konrad Laimer quickly equalized (11th minute). Thomas Müller (45th), Olise (70th, penalty kick/90th + 3) and Musiala (87th) secured Bayern’s 177th victory in the Champions League. Coach Vincent Kompany’s team still has two games left in the group stage: at Feyenoord Rotterdam (January 22nd) and against Slovan Bratislava (January 29th).
You can read about who stood out next to the goal scorers and who should quickly forget the game here or in the photo show above.