Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala among Bundesliga elite after passing 40-goal mark
Jamal Musiala came off the bench to grab yet another Bundesliga brace in his side's 4-2 victory over Heidenheim, bringing his all-time Bundesliga goals tally to more than 40, and at just 21.
Bayern's young magician opened his account for the afternoon just five minutes after entering the fray. Showing experience beyond his years, Musiala calmly stroked home from the edge of the box and reestablishing the lead for his side having been introduced shortly after Heidenheim shocked the home side with an equaliser. He then put the game beyond all doubt in the 90th minute, finishing off a clinical counter-attack showing a composure that matched his first goal.
The brace comprised the Bayern starlet's 7th and 8th Bundesliga goals this season, as well as his 40th and 41st career Bundesliga goals.
Watch: Musiala brace sinks Heidenheim
It all means that Musiala has become the seventh-youngest player in Bundesliga history to reach 40 goals. Only Erling Haaland, Dieter Müller, Klaus Fischer, Gerd Müller, Timo Werner and Uli Hoeneß did so at a younger age. That's certainly good company to keep, especially when considering that Musiala is the only midfielder in the top seven; the rest above him are out-and-out strikers.
Watch: Thomas Müller calls Musiala "special" after the Heidenheim game
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His name being on this list is symptomatic of how much it has now become expected that Musiala will deliver on the big stage. His eight goals and one assist in 11 appearances in the league this season is akin to that of an in-form forward. In fact, he's the joint-fourth top scorer in the league this season.
"Jamal is special, but we all know him and what he did today is not special. He has to do it maybe every three days," said Thomas Müller, waxing lyrical after the game against Frank Schmidt's stubborn visitors.
With Harry Kane absent for the time being, Vincent Kompany will be delighted by how well Musiala has stepped up and will hope the young star can continue to deliver goals when his side needs them most.
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