Starting XI, assist & win: Cancelo celebrates perfect debut at FC Bayern – Mainz beaten early

Newcomer convinces in the cup

With the old lightness and Cancelo trick, FC Bayern has taken a big step out of the crisis. The record champions easily prevailed 4-0 (3-0) at FSV Mainz 05 in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup on Wednesday evening and celebrated their first competitive win of the year after three Bundesliga draws. Coach Julian Nagelsmann ordered João Cancelo, who was only introduced on Tuesday, directly into the starting eleven – and the Portuguese prepared the lead through Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (17th) after a little more than fifteen minutes of play in the Bayern cosmos.

Jamal Musiala (30′) and Leroy Sané (44′) followed up in front of 33,305 spectators during the first half, shortly before the end, substitute Alphonso Davies (83′) scored. The “more” risk demanded by Nagelsmann paid off, Bayern had lost the last two league games in Mainz. On the other hand, FSV, who had no chance over longer distances, missed the first quarter-finals since 2018. Coach Bo Svensson saw red (81st) for complaining, his defender Alexander Hack after repeated foul play yellow-red (86th).

The Bavarian mood was tense on the journey because of the league slip-up. “Of course we all have pressure if we don’t win,” said sports director Hasan Salihamidzic at Sky. Nagelsmann – on the sidelines in the first few minutes in a snow-white winter coat – was annoyed early in the game about every shot that didn’t land in the Mainz goal. However, the initial failed attempts by Kingsley Coman (10th) and Musiala (14th) did not change anything about Munich’s dominance.

Cancelo effortlessly beat Aarón Martín with his strong cross from the right to score the opening goal – and confirmed Nagelsmann. “He can go full throttle,” announced the coach. In contrast to his new teammates, the Portuguese played no part in Munich’s weak start to the year in the league, the immediate measure with the new signing in midfield and a three-man chain in defense had an immediate effect, to Nagelsmann’s delight.

Bayern’s record cup player Thomas Müller prepared the second goal in his 63rd cup appearance for Munich, Musiala scored from the left against Finn Dahmen, who continues to replace the injured Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner. Joshua Kimmich almost went on before the half-time break, but only hit the post with a free kick (38th). The people of Mainz had little to counter that. Svensson relied on the two new winter signings Ludovic Ajorque in the attack center and Andreas Hanche-Olsen in the defensive line. Karim Onisiwo, who scored three times on Saturday in the Bundesliga, was on the bench until the 67th minute. In addition, Silvan Widmer had to leave the field after just 40 minutes (and received a yellow card).

A few minutes later, only the Bayern fans were celebrating again: Sané scored after submission by ex-Mainzer Choupo-Moting. The fact that Müller did not follow up in the 53rd minute was due to Dahmen, who was just about to intervene. In this phase of the second half, however, Mainz also dared more. Anthony Caci’s shot just missed Yann Sommer’s goal (60′), the Bayern defense now had a lot more trouble. Nagelsmann brought on newcomer Daley Blind for Dayot Upamecano, who experienced his first minutes of action and should probably bring more calm again (64th). Cancelo’s successful first came to an end in the 71st minute, and he was replaced by Davies, who went on to score.

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