Bayern Dominates in Kompany’s Debut Match
In Vincent Kompany’s official debut as head coach, Thomas Müller scored a rapid double, while Harry Kane added a goal, helping Bayern secure a 4-0 victory over Ulm in the first round of the German Cup.
Ulm, having won the Regionalliga Südwest and the German third division in consecutive seasons, returned to Bundesliga 2 for the first time since the 2000-2001 season. However, the step up in competition has proven challenging. Ulm started the new season with losses to Kaiserslautern and Jahn Regensburg, and their encounter with Germany’s most successful club ended in their third consecutive defeat.
Playing at the Donaustadion, Bayern dominated with 78% possession and 16 shots, seven of which were on target, while the hosts managed just one shot on goal.
Thomas Müller set the tone early, scoring twice in the first 14 minutes, marking the fastest double in his 708th appearance for the “Bavarians.” This feat was particularly special as it occurred on the same day that he made his Bundesliga debut 16 years ago against Hamburg. Coincidentally, this match also marked Kompany’s final Bundesliga appearance as a player.
In the second half, Bayern extended their lead with Kingsley Coman’s close-range finish and a header from Harry Kane. By sealing the 4-0 victory, Kane became the second Bayern player after Leroy Sané to score in his debut matches in the Bundesliga, Champions League, and German Cup.
Bayern is the most successful club in the German Cup’s history, with 20 titles, far ahead of Werder Bremen, which has won six. However, last season, Bayern had a disappointing exit, losing 2-1 to third-division side Saarbrücken in the second round.
The summer was a busy one for Bayern, who brought in Michael Olise from Crystal Palace, João Palhinha from Fulham, and Hiroki Ito from Stuttgart. Conversely, they sold defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui to Manchester United. The Allianz Arena club also surprised many by signing Vincent Kompany on a three-year contract after his unsuccessful attempt to keep Burnley in the Premier League, replacing Thomas Tuchel. Bayern had previously negotiated with Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann, Ralf Rangnick, Hansi Flick, and Mauricio Pochettino, but none accepted the offer.
On August 19, Bayern will play a friendly against Swiss club Grasshoppers before traveling to Wolfsburg for their Bundesliga opener on August 25.
Line -up:
Ulm: Ortag (Seybold 39′), Strompf, Kolbe, Reichert, Rösch, Stoll, Hyryläinen, Brandt (Kölle 78′), Chessa (Keller 62′), Higl (Telalović 78′), Krattenmacher (Meier 62′).
Bayern: Neuer, Upamecano (Davies 85′), Kim Min-Jae, Guerreiro, Stanišić, Musiala (Kane 63′), Pavlović (Palhinha 77′), Kimmich, Müller, Tel (Coman 63′), Gnabry (Olise 76′).
