Lennart Karl among young stars to shine as Bayern Munich run riot against Salzburg

Bayern Munich's young stars stole the show as Vincent Kompany's side cruised to victory in a friendly with a five-star performance ahead of the Bundesliga's resumption.

Salzburg 0-5 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 Ito 45', 0-2 Karl 71' (assist: Chávez), 0-3 Chávez 75' (assist: Karl), 0-4 Karl 87' (assist: Díaz), 0-5 Bischof 90'+4 (assist: Díaz)

With few chances in the opening exchanges, it was Salzburg who came closest to opening the scoring through Sōta Kitano. The Japan international forced Jonas Urbig into the first save of the afternoon, before later seeing his effort blocked by teenager Cassiano Kiala, with Baidoo's follow-up effort cleared off the line by David Santos Daiber.

Overcoming Salzburg pressure, Bayern took the lead through Hiroki Ito, whose volley from the edge of the box was deflected past Alexander Schlager on the stroke of half-time.

Lennart Karl and Felipe Chávez celebrate Bayern Munich's third. - IMAGO/kolbert-press/Christian Kolbert

With 11 changes at the break, Bayern ran out deserved winners with four second-half goals as Vincent Kompany's young stars stole the show.

Lennart Karl scored his first of the afternoon with an emphatic finish past Christian Zawieschitzky after latching onto a perfectly weighted pass from Felipe Chávez. The youngsters then combined for Bayern's third, with Karl turning provider as Chávez bundled the ball over from close range.

Luis Díaz, who was instrumental in Bayern's victory, lofted a ball towards the far post, which was met by the head of Karl for his second of the afternoon, before Tom Bischof added a fifth in stoppage time as Bayern cruised to victory.

As it happened!

0 - 5

(0 - 0)

Salzburg

FINAL

Bayern

Friendly
Winter break Winter break Red Bull Arena, Salzburg

Full-time: Salzburg 0-5 Bayern Munich

Ito opened the scoring in the first-half, but it was after the break when Bayern really turned on the style. Karl (x2), Chávez and Bischof all found the net as Kompany's side ran out deserved winners.

© IMAGO/Steffie Wunderl

Full-time

90'

+ 4

It's five!

Díaz showcases his excellent vision, finding the overlapping Bischof with a beautlfully lofted ball into the path of the German, who fires the ball past Zawieschitzky.

90'

+ 4

Tom Bischof

GOAL!

0:5

90'

+ 1

Into added time

The fourth official has signalled three additional minutes.

89'

Substitution

Maycon Douglas Cardozo

Lennart Karl

87'

Karl brace!

A solid performance from the youngster, who finds himself on the end of Díaz's cross, heading the ball past Zawieschitzky. That's two goals and one assist for Karl.

87'

Lennart Karl

GOAL!

0:4

85'

Substitution

Anrie Chase

Douglas Mendes

Felipe Chávez enjoyed that

The youngster registered a goal and assist in his short time on the pitch.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Christian Kolbert

81'

Substitution

Guido Della Rovere

Felipe Chávez

81'

Substitution

Javier Fernandez

Deniz Ofli

77'

Substitution

Oliver Lukić

Karim Onisiwo

77'

Crossbar!

Salzburg almost had their goal, but Alajbegović only manages to find the crossbar.

75'

It's three!

Bayern are in complete control now, and Karl is at the heart of the move. He attacks the space, before firing a low pass across goal which is turned in by Chávez.

75'

Felipe Chávez

GOAL!

0:3

71'

There it is!

It's been coming. Chávez plays a superbly weighted pass from a central position into the path of Karl, who makes no mistake in firing the ball past Zawieschitzky.

71'

Lennart Karl

GOAL!

0:2

Díaz influential in the final third

The Colombian has been very active since his introduction.

© IMAGO/Bernd Feil/M.i.S.

64'

It's only a matter of time

Díaz advances the ball before laying the ball square to Gnabry, who fires a powerful effort towards goal. Zawieschitzky denies the Bayern forward, but the rebound only goes as far as Chávez, who fires his left-footed shot over.

62'

Another chance

Díaz crosses the ball for Karl, who himself fires a low cross into the area which causes danger. Salzburg are only able to clear the ball as far as Laimer, who leans back when shooting, firing his effort over the bar.

60'

Wide from Vertessen

After Bayern lose the ball in a central position, Vertessen charges forward before unleashing an effort from range, but it doesn't trouble Ulreich.

58'

Almost 2-0!

Karl beats a Salzburg defender in the penalty area before firing a shot towards goal from close range, but Zawieschitzky is on hand to deny the Bayern youngster.

57'

Penalty shout

Díaz advances into the penalty area and goes down under a challenge, but the referee waves play on.

53'

Offside

Already Díaz is proving a dangerous player. In possession, this time he finds Gnabry, but the Bayern forward strays offside.

52'

Unable to find a way through

Aguilar progresses the ball deep into Bayern's half, but Pavlović is alert to the situation to stop the danger.

49'

Bright start!

As Bayern look to double their advantage, Díaz plays in the overlapping Ofli, who fires his effort from a tight angle towards the Salzburg goal. Zawieschitzky is on hand to deny the Bayern teenarger.

46'

Bayern's second-half starting XI

Ulreich - Laimer, Kim, Tah, Ofli - Pavlović, Bischof - Karl, Chavez, Díaz - Gnabry

46'

Salzburg's second-half starting XI

Zawieschitzky - Lainer, Mendes Rasmussen, Sulzbacher - Yeo, Kjærgaard - Aguilar, Vertessen, Alajbegović - Onisiwo

46'

We're back under way

Bayern get the ball rolling, with both teams making wholesale changes.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Salzburg 0-1 Bayern

Bayern started the better side, but Salzburg remained defensively resilient before creating chances of their own through Kitano. Cassiano Kiala and Santos Daiber were key to keeping the scores level, before Ito then, against the run of play, fired Bayern into the lead on the stroke of half-time via a deflected shot.

© IMAGO/Bernd Feil/M.i.S.

Half-time

45'

There it is!

We finally have a breakthrough. From the resulting save, Olise keeps the move alive, lofting the ball back into a central position. Salzburg are only able to clear the ball as far as Ito on the edge of the penalty area. The Bayern defender meets the ball on the volley, guiding his shot towards goal which takes a huge deflection past Schlager.

45'

Hiroki Ito

GOAL!

0:1

44'

Huge chance!

Goretzka collects the ball from Olise and progresses into the penalty area, where Kane is then on hand to fire a low shot towards goal, which is saved by Schlager.

39'

Side netting!

Again, another Salzburg chance! It's that man again, but this time Kitano is only able to find the side netting from close range.

37'

It's all Salzburg

The hosts look to counter-attack, but Urbig is alert to the danger, racing out of his penalty area to clear the danger.

33'

Wow!

How did that not go in? Kitano has been Salzburg's main goal threat. He weaves his way into Bayern's penalty area but his shot is blocked by Kiala. Baidoo then pounces on the rebound but Santos Daiber is there to clear the ball off the line.

32'

Hosts coming to life

Wow! Kitano's shot is deflected but Urbig is alert to the danger, getting down low to deny the Salzburg midfielder.

29'

Salzburg pressing

The hosts are seeing much more of the ball now and are able to escape Bayern's high press, but as they look to progress the ball, Upamecano is there to cut out the danger. Excellent anticipation from the French defender.

26'

Bayern probe

David Santos Daiber finds himself in a central position, playing a through ball towards compatriot Guerreiro, but it's cut out.

Growing in confidence

Progressing the ball into the penalty area, Mike isn't able to get a clean enough connection on his shot, but he gets a second opportunity. This time, his left footed effort goes across the face of goal, eluding everyone and troubling no one.

© IMAGO/Bernd Feil/M.i.S.

Olise!

The Frenchman almost produced one of his moments on magic. Receiving the ball on the right and cutting inside onto his favoured left foot, he tries his luck from just outside of the penalty area, forcing Schlager into a fingertip save.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Christian Kolbert

18'

Half chance

Kane receives the ball in the penalty area and from the byline, chips in a cross towards the far post, but Mike is unable to convert.

14'

No way through

After an intense start, both teams are settling down now. Bayern are controlling the possession and are looking for an opening, but Salzburg remain tight at the back.

10'

Exploiting Salzburg's high line

Ito and Mike are creating an excellent understanding down Bayern's left. The Japanese defender bursts forward and looks for the return pass, but there's too much pace on it.

8'

Chances at both ends

Salzburg aren't shying away here. Straight up the other end, Kitano shoots from distance, but it goes wide of Urbig's post.

Wide!

Ito with an excellent opportunity just outside of the area. The Bayern defender faked a shot, inviting his marker to make a sliding block before firing his effort just wide of Schlager's post.

© IMAGO/Bernd Feil/M.i.S.

3'

First chance

And it falls to the hosts. Konaté whips in a dangerous cross but it eludes Baidoo who stretches, but is unable to get a foot to the ball.

1'

Setting the tone

Already, Kitano goes in on his compatriot Ito, giving away a free-kick.

1'

Let's go!

Salzburg get the ball rolling.

Kick-off!

Captain Kane

With Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich absent, Harry Kane will again wear the captain's armband, just as he did on the final matchday of 2025, against Heidenheim.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Martin Agüera

Kick-off approaching

We're 30 minutes away from a ball being kicked, as Bayern check out the pitch conditions.

© IMAGO/Markus Ulmer

More on that Bayern team

The visitors confirm that Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich (pictured) and Jamal Musiala aren't in the squad as they continue their rehabilitation following injury. Alphonso Davies and Sacha Boey are also absent due to illness.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Edward Cheung

Salzburg starting XI

Schlager - Trummer, Gadou, Schuster, Krätzig - Diabate, Bidstrup (c) - Baidoo, Kitano, Bischoff - Konaté

Salzburg subs

Zawieschitzky, Hamzić, Rasmussen, Onisiwo, Vertessen, Kjærgaard, Diambou, Lainer, Lukić, Alajbegović, Gourna-Douath, Sulzbacher, Mendes, Aguilar, Yeo, Chase

Bayern starting XI

Urbig - Stanišić, Upamecano, Kiala, Itō - Goretzka, Santos Daiber - Olise, Guerreiro, Mike - Kane (c)

Bayern subs

Ulreich, Prescott, Kim, Tah, Gnabry, Díaz, Bischof, Laimer, Della Rovere, Fernández, Ofli, Chávez, Karl, Pavlović, Cardozo

Familiar face

Former Bayern starlet Frans Krätzig joined Salzburg over the summer on a permanent deal. The 22-year-old left-back has since made 15 appearances across all competitions for the Austrian league leaders, having played seven times for the Bayern pros before loan spells at VfB Stuttgart and Heidenheim.

© Adam Pretty

Fell short against Freiburg

Salzburg have already faced German opposition this season in the form of Julian Schuster's Freiburg in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League. The Black Forest outfit edged a 1-0 victory, with Austria international Philipp Lienhart the scorer.

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

Fellow league leaders

Like Bayern, Salzburg head into this one atop the Austrian Bundesliga table, albeit with a smaller advantage - three points clear of second place compared to Bayern's nine.

Last competitive meeting

You have to go back to March 2022 for the last time these sides clashed in a competitive environment. Bayern dominated their last encounter - a UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg at the Allianz Arena - with Robert Lewandowski scoring a hat-trick and Thomas Müller netting a brace to claim an 8-2 aggregate win.

© Alex Grimm

Unbeaten against Salzburg

Bayern and Salzburg have met four times competitively before, with the Bavarians winning three of the encounters and drawing just once. The sides met in friendly action last winter, too, with Bayern thrashing their Austrian opponents 6-0, thanks in no small part to a brace from Michael Olise.

© IMAGO/Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON

Eyes on Wolfsburg

The friendly against Salzburg will be Bayern's sole chance for a full preparatory 90 minutes before they face Wolfsburg at home on 11 January on Matchday 16.

2:03

Watch: Heidenheim 0-4 Bayern Munich - highlights

Bayern ended their 2025 with a comprehensive away victory over Heidenheim, which saw them extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to nine points. Harry Kane netted his 19th of the season, which marked his 100th Bundesliga goal contribution in just 78 total appearances.

Hello and welcome!

Thank you for joining us for build-up and live match coverage of Bayern Munich's mid-season friendly against Austrian side RB Salzburg.

About the players

42

Lennart

Karl

FC Bayern München

About the clubs

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