Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala on target as Bayern Munich overcome Arminia Bielefeld
Serge Gnabry scored a venomous volley and Jamal Musiala also found the net as Bayern Munich cruised to a 3-0 victory over Arminia Bielefeld to take a nine-point advantage into Der Klassiker next weekend.
Bielefeld 0-3 Bayern
Goals: 0-1 Laursen (o.g. 10’) 0-2 Gnabry 45’ (assist: Kimmich), 0-3 Musiala (assist: Lewandowski)
Bielefeld began the afternoon the brightest. Wolfsburg-bound Patrick Wimmer pressed with dynamism to create an opportunity only to drag his shot just wide of the post. Moments later, Stefan Ortega somehow managed to beat away an effort from Robert Lewandowski with the hosts showing early confidence that they could bear Bayern’s onslaught. But optimism soon turned to disappointment as Joshua Kimmich found Alphonso Davies, with the Canadian nodding the ball into the path of Lewandowski – only to see Jacob Laursen bundle it past Ortega before the Polish captain. Masaya Okugawa kept the pressure on for Bielefeld but it was Bayern who doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, another delicious ball from Kimmich finding Serge Gnabry to sidefoot a volley into the net.
Bayern maintained a high level of intensity throughout the second half. Davies had an effort miss slightly, while Lewandowski posed constant danger for the opposing defenders. Ortega expertly kept out a close-range effort from Musiala, but the Germany international followed up with a goal minutes later. The ball found the path of Lewandowski, who picked a pass through the legs of a Bielefeld defender for Musiala to tuck away his fourth goal of the season and round out a victory victory that restores the nine-point gap over Dortmund ahead of Der Klassiker next week.
Match stats
- Musiala scored his 10th goal in the Bundesliga for Bayern, but his first in 2022.
- Bielefeld have just won two of their 15 home games this term, but have also only lost five.
- Manuel Neuer is now level with Mark Flekken and Robin Zentner for the most clean sheets in the season (10).
- Thomas Müller still leads the league for assists with 16, but hasn’t set up a goal in six appearances.
- With only one point in their last seven games, Bielefeld are currently the most off-form team in the Bundesliga.
- Kimmich now has 10 assists this term, while Gnabry has equalled his best ever single-season scoring record of 12 in the Bundesliga.
Watch: Davies: "We can't lose our focus"
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Line-ups
Bielefeld: Ortega – Ramos, Pieper, Nilsson – Wimmer, Schöpf (Castro 74’), Prietl (c), Kunze (Vasiliadis 45’+4), Laursen (Bello 39') – Serra (Hack 74’), Okugawa
Uused subs: Kapino, Bello, de Medina, Andrade, Ince, Cherny
Out: Brunner (concussion), Klos (fractured skull), Krüger (knock)
Coach: Frank Kramer
Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Upamecano, Nianzou (Stanisic 46’), Davies - Kimmich, Goretzka – Sabitzer (Sane 61’), Müller (Musiala 61’), Gnabry (Vidovic 89’) – Lewandowski (Choupo-Moting 89’)
Unused subs: Ulreich, O. Richards, Roca, Tillman
Out: Süle (not included), Tolisso (hamstring), Coman (muscular), Hernandez (muscular)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Watch: Gnabry: "We want to become champions at home next week"
Related news
Leipzig path paving the way for Nusa
Teenaged forward Antonio Nusa is walking the walk - and talking the talk - in some famous footsteps at the Red Bull Arena...
Dortmund Legends and Flamengo honour Pelé
Past BVB greats faced a Flamengo XI in Brazil on King Pelé Day.
Who should partner Kimmich in Bayern's midfield?
Injuries to Pavlović and Palhinha, who were already competing against each other, have opened up a spot alongside Kimmich in Bayern’s midfield. What are Kompany’s options?