Dream duo makes FC Bayern cheer
Kane breaks Seeler’s 60-year-old Bundesliga record
March 16, 2024, 5:55 p.m
FC Bayern struggled in the first half, but then dismantled the bottom of the table: the Munich team celebrated a clear win at SV Darmstadt 98. Jamal Musiala delivers the big show and Harry Kane breaks the next Bundesliga record.
Bayern Munich completed the mandatory task against the bottom of the table without any problems and at least built up some pressure in the title race. Coach Thomas Tuchel’s team, which has regained its strength, reduced the gap to Bayer Leverkusen to seven points, at least temporarily, with a 5-2 (2-1) win at Darmstadt 98 thanks to the dream duo of Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala.
After Tim Skarke went behind (28′), Kane prepared Musiala’s equalizer (36′) and followed up with his 31st goal of the season (45’+1). Musiala (64th) after a fantastic solo and substitutes Serge Gnabry (74th) and Mathys Tel (90th + 3) increased. Despite Oscar Vilhelmsson’s late goal (90+5), Bayern defeated the short away curse after four games and are looking forward to the game of the previously unbeaten Werkself on Sunday (3:30 p.m./DAZN and in the live ticker at ntv.de) at SC Freiburg.
“We stuck with it. We created and took advantage of the chances. We also had different players like Jamal on the pitch,” said captain Manuel Neuer on Sky. The goalkeeper was annoyed about the two goals conceded. They were “significantly too much”: “We have to talk about that.”
Papa Neuer returns and has to get straight to it
The record champions had to “deliver in order to stay tuned,” Tuchel had emphasized in advance, and he promised: “We won’t stumble.” In comparison to the resounding win against FSV Mainz 05 (8:1), the Munich coach brought Raphael Guerreiro and Aleksandar Pavlovic, who was recently suspended and was nominated for the DFB team for the first time, into the starting line-up. Manuel Neuer reported back after a short maternity break.
The national goalkeeper was immediately in the spotlight after a dominant initial phase for Bayern with few compelling finishes. With a strong reflex, Neuer parried against Mathias Honsak (16th). Bayern, who had discussed Arsenal’s quarter-final draw and a possible premier class final against Borussia Dortmund before the game, struggled offensively.
Skarke briefly causes Munich’s hearts to race
The Munich team controlled the game, but couldn’t find a way through the passionate SVD defense – and couldn’t prevent individual needle pricks from the lilies. Skarke coldly completed one of the rare attacks by the outsider, who had been defeated 8-0 in the first leg in Munich.
Despite the deficit, the guests remained patient. Musiala initially missed carelessly (32′), but shortly afterwards the national player equalized from close range after an assist from Kane. It was also Kane who got Bayern back on track with his head and set a personal record – he never scored more times in a league season. Vilhelmsson missed the direct answer with a hit on the crossbar (45th + 2).
Shocking moment for DFB debutants
Kane usurpassed the legendary Uwe Seeler with his 31st goal of the season. A player has never achieved more in his debut season. Seeler scored 30 goals in the 1963/1964 season. With his 24th goal, Kane had already equaled Luca Toni’s club record (2007/2008). The most goals in a season so far were scored by Robert Lewandowski, who scored 41 times for FC Bayern in 2020/2021.
The second half in the sold-out stadium at the Böllenfalltor started with a moment of shock for Bayern, Pavlovic had to leave the field in a daze with a head injury. Even without the youngster, the guests remained the team that dominated the game. The strong Musiala made things clearer with his third goal after one of his inimitable dribbles. Gnabry also scored after being substituted on. Musiala was unlucky with a shot against the crossbar (78th). Kane then hit the post and limped off the field.