FC Bayern Munich: Upamecano hits and misses, Musiala with a brace: Bayern wins against Heidenheim

FC Bayern against Heidenheim – that has always been a guarantee for exciting games. Last season, Bayern had a hard-fought 4-2 win, while in Heidenheim a 2-0 lead was not enough to win; FCH turned the game around with a 3-2 win against the record champions. Many people will still remember the cup game from April 2019, when the guests from Ostalb, then the second division, gave Bayern an open fight and fought their way back again and again. It was only a penalty goal from Robert Lewandowski shortly before the end to make it 5:4 that made progress perfect. On Saturday afternoon it looked like things were clear for Bayern for a long time, but Munich’s defensive weaknesses and lack of efficiency prevented clarity: FCB won 4-2. Man of the match was Jamal Musiala with a brace. Also worth mentioning is the role of Dayot Upamecano, who first scored and then conceded a goal. Heidenheim managed the feat of scoring two goals with two shots on goal.

Goalkeeper Daniel Peretz made his Bundesliga starting eleven debut for Bayern. The Israeli, who had previously only played 16 minutes in the top German league, replaced Manuel Neuer, who had a rib injury. This time, coach Vincent Kompany put veteran Thomas Müller in place of the injured Harry Kane. Aleksandar Pavlović, who had recovered from his shoulder injury, was back in the starting line-up, but Goretzka remained out. Sacha Boey and Raphaël Guerreiro also started. Sven Ulreich was back in the Munich squad. The regular number two was recently missing for personal reasons.

Bayern’s offense cracks Heidenheim’s defense: Upamecano scores from Kimmich’s corner

From Heidenheim’s point of view, it shouldn’t be a spectacle this time. “It should be clear to everyone that we are not going to Munich to play hurrah football,” said FCH coach Frank Schmidt at the press conference before the game. After a negative series in the Bundesliga and slipping into a relegation place, the aim is to stabilize again in the league.

That’s why the game offered the scenario that you often see when supposedly smaller teams come to the Bavarian capital: Heidenheim was compact in defense and waited for a counterattack, while the Bayern offensive looked for the gap in the defense. Bayern’s first warning shot went to Thomas Müller, who tried it from outside the penalty area (12th), Leroy Sané had the first good opportunity: after a combination with Michael Olise, the national player was free in front of Kevin Müller in the FCH. Goal, but his lob went past the far post (15th). But after a corner the spell was broken: Kimmich’s corner found the head of Dayot Upamecano, who ran into the free space and was able to exploit it completely freely: 1-0 for Bayern (18th). It was the 41st Kimmich corner after which a goal was scored for Bayern – that is the best value since data collection began.

Bayern’s superiority against Heidenheim at half-time was overwhelming

Bayern’s dominance, which seemed spurred on by the defeat against Leverkusen, was overwhelming – even if there were few clear chances against defensive Heidenheimers. Once the guests had the ball, it was quickly gone again. Proof of Munich’s control of the game: After half an hour, Kompany’s team had a whopping 86 percent possession of the ball – a value that lasted until the break. But no more goals wanted to be scored for the time being. Alphonso Davies was close after a one-two with Guerreiro, but only hit the post (39th), Kimmich tried a long-range shot shortly afterwards (40th).

Shortly before half-time, several Bayern players, Guerreiro, Davies and Sané, had the opportunity to shoot in the penalty area. After several passes, Sané tried, but missed it over the crossbar (45th + 2). At halftime, Heidenheim had an expected goals value that is rarely seen after 45 minutes: 0. That means: Peretz didn’t even have to intervene in an attempt at embarrassment. With 538 to 86 passes, Bayern also played six times as many passes as Heidenheim.

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Heidenheim’s Honsak scored with the first attack attempt against FC Bayern

The second round started without any personnel changes. Bayern had the reins, Pavlovic’s shot just missed the post (49′). But what happens when a team doesn’t use its own superiority? Exactly. A long ball from Heidenheim wouldn’t have been dangerous, but Upamecano’s extension into the path of Mathias Honsak turned it into a dangerous assist. The Austrian let Peretz out – and scored to make it 1-1 (50th). Heidenheim, who had spent a half without any offensive efforts, scored straight away with their first action.

How convenient that Bayern have a second player this season – alongside Kane – who seems to have a guaranteed goal. Immediately after the goal, Kompany brought on Jamal Musiala for Thomas Müller. He did what he’s been doing this season: After a speed run through the Heidenheim defense, the national player scored to make it 2-1 (56′). The Munich team pressed for the next goal, but Olise narrowly missed it (62′). Musiala failed after the next solo run due to Kevin Müller, Sané could have used the follow-up shot directly with his right – because he first put the ball on his stronger left foot, Heidenheim clarified that too (73′).

Substitute Leon Goretzka seemed to eliminate the last doubts about the outcome of the game: after a lay-off from Sané, the ex-national player made it 3-1 (84th). So everything is clear? Not at all. Shortly afterwards, Heidenheim came back into the Bayern penalty area via counter-pressing – and scored again! Ex-Bayern professional Niklas Dorsch scored on an assist from Leo Scienza to make it 3-2 (85th). Once again, Bayern’s defense looked poor. But there is Jamal Musiala. He took the ball in his own half, sprinted into the FCH penalty area – and scored to make it 4-2 (90th + 1). But then it was really over.