bundesliga

Sadio Mane scores on Bundesliga debut as Bayern Munich down Eintracht Frankfurt

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Sadio Mane scored on his Bundesliga debut as Bayern Munich sent out a statement of their intent with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the opening fixture of the 2022/23 season.

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Frankfurt 1-6 Bayern
Goals: 0-1 Kimmich (5'), 0-2 Pavard (11'), 0-3 Mane 29' (assist: Gnabry), 0-4 Musiala 35' (assist: Müller), 0-5 Gnabry 43' (assist: Müller), 1-5 Kolo Muani, 1-6 Musiala 83' (assist: Sane)

Julian Nagelsmann's side were quick to assert their authority and went ahead inside five minutes when Joshua Kimmich's clever free-kick caught out Kevin Trapp at his near post. With Frankfurt stunned, Bayern pressed home their advantage and soon doubled their lead when Benjamin Pavard lashed in from a tight angle after the UEFA Europa League winners struggled to defend a ball into the box. Frankfurt tried to offer resistance and hit the bar with a Tuta header from a corner before Jesper Lindstrom stroked wide of the target with just Manuel Neuer to beat. Those proved to be costly misses as Bayern showed them how it was done shortly afterwards, with Mane heading in his first Bundesliga goal before Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry put the result beyond Frankfurt's reach before half-time.

Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner made a triple substitution during the interval in a bid to revive his team's fortunes and it move almost made instant dividends as Kristijan Jakic bundled the ball in from close range, but it was disallowed for offside. One of his substitutes, Randal Kolo Muani, did get his name on the scoresheet when he pounced on an uncharacteristic mistake from Neuer, nipping in between the Bayern goalkeeper and Lucas Hernandez to prod the ball into the empty net. Ansgar Knauff could have reduced the deficit yet further after racing in behind the Bayern defence but he smacked an angled shot into the side netting when a pass into the middle appeared to be the better option. The visitors improved after those scares, with a couple of half-chances for Mane, but it was Musiala who had the last word when he collected a pass from Leroy Sane, held off a challenge inside the box and slotted past Trapp to round out a thoroughly deserved opening win.

Match stats

  • Kimmich scored from a direct free-kick for the first time in the Bundesliga, become the 17th Bayern player to score the opening goal of a campaign - a league record.
  • Bayern hit the woodwork three times in the first half alone.
  • Musiala now has 13 Bundesliga goals, becoming the highest-scoring U20 player ever at the club alongside former CEO Uli Hoeneß.
  • After scoring in the Supercup win over RB Leipzig, Mane now has two goals in as many competitive games for his new club.
  • Kolo Muani became the 270th different player to score in the Bundesliga for Frankfurt, establishing a new league best mark.
  • Bayern have not lost a Matchday 1 fixture for 11 years (1-0 vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2011/12). They are bidding for a record-extending 11th straight Bundesliga title.

>> Get Mane for your Fantasy team for 16M!

Watch: Musiala: "Everything's clicking right now"

Teams

Frankfurt: Trapp - Toure, Tuta (Hasebe 81), N’Dicka - Knauff, Sow, Rode (c) (Jakic 46'), Kostic (Alidou 74') - Lindstrom (Lenz 46'), Götze - Borre (Kolo Muani 46')
Unused subs: Ramaj, Chandler, Kamada, Alario,
Out: Buta (knee), Onguene (thigh), Smolcic (suspended)
Coach: Oliver Glasner

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard (Mazraoui 82'), Upamecano, Hernandez (de Ligt 82'), Davies - Kimmich, Sabitzer (Gravenberch 57') - Gnabry (Tel 65'), Müller (Sane 65'), Musiala - Mane
Unused subs: Ulreich, Nianzou, Zirkzee, Stanisic
Out: Choupo-Moting (groin), Coman (suspended), Goretzka (knee), Sarr (knee)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Watch: Nagelsmann: "We need Sadio Mane's energy"