Alphonso Davies scores but Bayern Munich are well beaten by Nuremberg
Alphonso Davies scored a wonderful goal in Bayern Munich's first friendly encounter of 2020 on Saturday but Bundesliga 2 strugglers Nuremberg ran out 5-2 winners to take Bavaria derby spoils.
As it happened
Nuremberg 5-2 Bayern
Goals: 1-0 Frey (22'), 1-1 Davies (34'), 2-1 Ishak (46'), 3-1 Zrelak (58'), 4-1 Schleusener (60'), 5-1 Hack (77'), 5-2 Tillman (85')
FULL-TIME!
The final whistle goes on an excellent performance from Nuremberg, who run out 5-2 winners over Bayern Munich. The scores were level at the break after Frey's opener was cancelled out by Davies in what was, at the time, a very even affair. Bayern then made 11 changes, introducing a young, inexperienced side that were punished by Nuremberg. The hosts also made 10 changes at the break and second-half subs Ishak, Zrelak, Schleusener and Hack were all on target before Cuisance's missed penalty and Tillman's late consolation.
85' GOAL! TILLMAN!
Bayern's youngsters have a consolation. Tillman sneaks in at the back post to head home Batista-Meier's inviting cross. That could be a valuable boost to this young team's confidence.
83' FURTHER CHANGES FOR NUREMBERG
Substitute goalscorers Hack and Zrelak have done their bit and make way for Fuchs and Besong respectively. Not a bad day at the office all round for Nuremberg.
80' FINAL 10 KLAXON
Just 10 minutes left in this one and Bayern will just be hoping to get through it without conceding any more. Not many times that you'll read that sentence!
77' GOAL! HACK!
Nuremberg have a fifth! Hack on the scoresheet this time as Zrelak squares a rebound into his path to tap into an empty net from just a couple of yards out. Replays show that Hack was actually in an offside position but neither he nor the delirious Nuremberg fans will be bothered by that!
72' MISSED!
Oh, no! Dornebusch makes up for giving away the penalty as he dives to his left to deny Cuisance. It really isn't Bayern's day.
71' PENALTY TO BAYERN!
They might just have found that way back in...
68' BAYERN LOOKING FOR A WAY BACK
This has been an excellent performance from Nuremberg who are now happy to sit in and allow Bayern to have the ball, waiting to hit them on the counter. As for Bayern, they've been unable to create anything of note in this second half. With 20 minutes left, can they muster up a figthback?
60' GOAL! SCHLEUSENER!
Wow, this is a mauling now. Nuremberg have a fourth as Schleusener fires beyond Ulreich to make it 4-1. Another cracking finish. Bayern's youngsters brought on at half time are struggling.
58' GOAL! ZRELAK!
Nuremberg have a two-goal cushion! It's almost a carbon copy of the opener, this time Zrelak is on hand to tuck home Ishak's square ball. Another incisive break from Nuremberg.
49' ALL CHANGE
Right then, Zirkzee, Dajaku, Batista-Meier, Mai, Richards, Arp, Arrey-Mbi, Cuisance, Tillman, Singh and Ulreich are all on for Bayern who have changed all 11 players. Nuremberg have made 10 changes themselves with just Dornebusch remaining in goal.
46' GOAL! ISHAK!
Wow, what an introduction. We mentioned Bayern changes but it is Nuremberg substitute Ishak that makes the first telling contribution, sweeping home a lovely finish to make it 2-1 to the hosts almost straight from kick-off. That was Ishak's first touch!
SECOND-HALF!
We're back up and running at Nuremberg. Some changes for Bayern that we'll bring you up to speed with shortly.
HALF-TIME!
We're level at the break then. Frey gave Nuremberg a deserved lead earlier in the half before Davies responded to finish a stunning team goal for Bayern to make it 1-1. It's been a very good half of football, played more like a league game than a friendly. Very competitive and everything you'd expect from a derby. Really enjoyable stuff.
42' BEHRENS ON TARGET
The Nuremberg captain fires one from range but it's straight down the middle and easy for Neuer to collect.
34' GOAL! DAVIES!
He makes no mistake this time to make it 1-1. Two excellent one-twos with first Perisic and then Müller cut through the Nuremberg defence and Davies continues his run before smuggling the ball past Dornebusch. A very good team goal.
31' FIRST REAL CHANCE FOR BAYERN
The visitors should be level. A gorgeous through ball on the edge of the box sets Davies free but his squared pass is cut out before Coutinho can tap home. The Canada international should probably have taken the shot on himself but was incredibly unselfish trying to find his Brazilian teammate.
30' HOSTS IN CONTROL
Bayern are finding it very difficult to break down a resilient Nuremberg so far. The hosts are exceptionally well drilled and look far better than their lowly league position in Bundesliga 2 suggests.
23' GOAL! FREY!
Well, it's been coming and Nuremberg have the lead. That man Frey is superbly found on on the edge of the Bayern box and he arrows a fine finish across Neuer and into the bottom left corner. A great finish and it's a deserved lead for the hosts.
18' MARGREITTER GOES CLOSE
Nuremberg should be in front. A sublime corner is met by Margreitter six yards out but he heads wide of Neuer's post. The Bayern keeper was rooted to the spot and it was 1-0 if that was on target.
12' NUREMBERG'S MAN MOUNTAIN UP TOP
Frey is an absolute monster of a physical specimen. He's tall and strong and clearly a real focal point of their attack. Boateng and Pavard will certainly know they're in for a tough game up against him.
8' - BAYERN STARTING TO SETTLE
Bayern are starting to warm into things now. Davies is a constant threat from left-back and has already found some joy up against Jäger. Will be an interesting battle between those two.
2' - GREAT CHANCE FOR NUREMBERG
Dovedan is fed through on goal and Neuer is caught off his line. The Nuremberg forward looks to chip the Germany international but skews it over the bar. A real chance for the hosts.
KICK-OFF!
We are up and running at the Max-Morlock Stadium for this Bavaria derby...
A GROWING INJURY LIST AT THE ALLIANZ
As mentioned before, Lewandowski misses out today as he continues his recovery from groin surgery but he's not the only notable absentee. Serge Gnabry this week joined a growing injury list that includes Kinglesy Coman, Lucas Hernandez, Nicklas Süle and Javi Martinez. Not a bad six-a-side team, that.
HISTORY ON BAYERN'S SIDE
These two teams have faced each other on 62 occasions in the Bundesliga, with Bayern winning 38 times, Nuremberg claiming 11 wins and there being 13 draws along the way. They most recently met last season; Bayern winning 3-0 at home and Nuremberg getting a point in a 1-1 draw at the Max-Morlock Stadium on Matchday 31 of a campaign that saw Nuremberg relegated.
NUREMBERG TEAM NEWS
Dornebusch - Jäger, Sorensen, Margreitter, Heise - Kerk, Behrens (c), Nürnberger, Lohkemper - Dovedan - Frey
Subs: Willert, Geis, Handwerker, Ishak, Zrelak, Cerin, Hack, Schleusener, Sorg, Besong, Mühl, Erras, Fuchs
BIG TASK FOR THE HOSTS
Nuremberg face a difficult challenge today in taking on the record Bundesliga champions. They currently lie 16th in Bundesliga 2, occupying the Relegation Playoff place at the winter break. They name new signing Philip Heise for the first time today.
BAYERN TEAM NEWS
Neuer (c) - Pavard, Boateng, Alaba, Davies - Kimmich, Tolisso - Perisic, Goretzka, Coutinho - Müller
Subs: Ulreich, Cuisance, Arp, Dajaku, Singh, Mai, Batista-Meier, Zirkzee, Arrey-Mbi, Richards, Zaiser, Tillman
BAYERN NAME STRONG SIDE
It's a very good Bayern team that coach Hansi Flick has put out today, with Philippe Coutinho among the starting lineup. Interestingly, Thomas Müller looks set to lead the line in the absence of Robert Lewandowski, with Leon Goretzka pushed further up the pitch. There's a youthful bench, too, which promises a great deal of excitement in seeing such talented youngsters in action. Among them is Joshua Zirkzee who has already proven a match-winner for the seniors.
WELCOME ALONG!
A very good afternoon to everyone and welcome to our live coverage of Bayern's first friendly of the New Year, where the reigning champions travel to Bundesliga 2 side Nuremberg. We kick-off at 3.30pm CET/2.30pm GMT/9.30am ET for what looks like a cracker of a game.
Line-ups
Nuremberg: Dornebusch - Jäger (Erras 46'), Sorensen (Sorg 46'), Margreitter (Mühl 46'), Heise (Handwerker 46') - Kerk (Schleusener 46'), Behrens (c) (Geis 46'), Nürnberger (Cerin 46'), Lohkemper (Hack 46') (Fuchs 83') - Dovedan (Ishak 46') - Frey (Zrelak 46') (Besong 83')
Subs: Willert
Out: Klandt (Achilles), Mathenia (knee), Misidjan (cruciate ligament), Erras (muscular)
Coach: Jens Keller
Bayern: Neuer (c) (Ulreich 46') - Pavard (Arp 46'), Boateng (Mai 46'), Alaba (Arrey-Mbi 46'), Davies (Batista-Meier 46') - Kimmich (Tillman 46'), Tolisso (Cuisance 46') - Perisic (Richards 46'), Goretzka (Singh 46'), Coutinho (Dajaku 46') - Müller (Zirkzee 46')
Subs: Zaiser
Out: Coman (knee), Gnabry (Achilles), Lewandowski (groin), Martinez (muscular), Süle (knee), Thiago (compassionate leave)
Coach: Hansi Flick
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Latest
Regardless of who lines up for Bayern, it could be a chastening shift at the office for Nuremberg. Relegated from the Bundesliga last season, the Bavarian-Franconian club are fighting for their lives at the foot of the Bundesliga 2 standings halfway into the 2019/20 campaign. Der Club recorded just four wins from 17 matches during the first half of the season, whilst shipping 34 goals, and begin the year in the relegation play-off spot, with just a two-point cushion on the automatic drop zone. Jens Keller has overseen five matches since being parachuted in as coach and, to his credit, there has been a marginal improvement in results - Nuremberg taking five points from a possible 15 on the former Schalke tactician's watch. Keller's men returned to training on 4 January, but the Bayern contest represents their first 90-minute run-out of the winter break. New loan signing Philip Heise makes his debut after making the switch from English Premier League strugglers Norwich City, but goalkeeper Christian Mathenia and forward Virgil Misidjan remain on the sidelines.
Bayern have little over a week of preparation left before resuming their title defence with a trip to Hertha Berlin. Interim coach Hansi Flick took his win count to five from seven in the Bundesliga following year-ending triumphs over Freiburg and Wolfsburg, but the defending champions still have their work cut out to peg back leaders RB Leipzig - fourth points better off after 17 matches - in the months ahead. To that end, Flick's side have spent the last week or so warming up for the Rückrunde in Doha, Qatar - albeit with some notable absentees. Nineteen-goal top scorer Lewandowski did not travel after recently undergoing minor groin surgery, while Kingsley Coman, Javi Martinez and Niklas Süle also remained in Munich to continue their respective rehabilitation programmes. Defender Lucas Hernandez is still some way off recovering match fitness, despite returning to light training at the Aspire Academy earlier in the week. Serge Gnabry is out with an Achilles problem and Thiago Alcantara has been allowed to travel to back to Europe due to the birth of his child. Thomas Müller leads the line, while Joshua Zirkzee is a substitute after coming off the bench to score with his first touch against both Freiburg and Wolfsburg.
Match stats
- Nurnberg held Bayern to a 1-1 draw on home soil last season, having lost 3-0 in Munich. They have not beaten Bayern in 15 matches in all competitions, dating back to February 2007.
- Keller faced Bayern twice whilst in charge of Schalke between December 2012 and October 2014 (D1, L3).
- Robin Hack is Nuremberg's top scorer so far this season with six goals in 17 Bundesliga 2 games.
- Zirkzee has reached two Bundesliga goals quicker than any player in Bundesliga history (under seven minutes).
- Davies was a second-half substitute in Bayern's most recent meeting with Nuremberg. He was deployed on the left wing in that game, but has started at left-back in his last 13 appearances.
- Coutinho is poised to face Nuremberg for the first time in his career. The Barcelona loanee has registered seven goals and as many assists in his first 22 competitive outings for Bayern.
Related news
How do Bayern and Leipzig stack up?
Bayern take on recent rivals Leipzig in their final game before the winter break. The record champions vs. the young pretenders - how do they compare?
Who are Elversberg?
All you need to know on the Saarland-based outfit, who are flying high at the top of Bundesliga 2...
Bundesliga top scorer's race
Harry Kane top scored with 36 goals last season, but there is a wealth of attacking talents ready to vie for his crown in 2024/25...