DFB-Pokal Semi-Final: Musiala’s Hat-Trick, Sane Scores, Gnabry Hits the Post – Bayern Lead Mainz at Half-Time

Key Events:

Just 2 minutes into the match, Davies sent a low cross from the left flank to the penalty area, and Kane laid it off to Musiala, who finished with a well-placed shot, giving Bayern a perfect start, 1-0.

In the 26th minute, Sane received the ball and cut inside from the left side of the penalty area, but his long-range shot was saved by Zetter. Gnabry followed up with a close-range shot that hit the post, and his second attempt went out of bounds.

In the 37th minute, Sane delivered a cross from the right flank, and Kane’s close-range header was saved by Zetter. Musiala capitalized on the rebound to score his second goal, making it 2-0 for Bayern.

In stoppage time of the first half, Bayern launched a quick counterattack, and Sane scored from a narrow angle with a low shot into the far corner, extending Bayern’s lead to 3-0.

In the final moments of the first-half stoppage time, Bayern orchestrated an attack from the right flank. A Mainz defender failed to clear the ball, and Musiala tapped in an easy finish from close range, putting Bayern ahead 4-0.

Match Report:

On October 31, in the second round of the DFB-Pokal, Mainz hosted Bayern Munich.

Mainz had only managed 2 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses in their first 8 Bundesliga matches, placing them 13th in the league table. In contrast, Bayern remained unbeaten with 6 wins and 2 draws, leading the league. In their last 10 meetings, Mainz had 3 wins and 7 losses, including an 8-1 defeat by Bayern in the Bundesliga this season.

In the 14th minute, Bayern’s low cross from the left flank reached the penalty area, but Kane arrived late and missed the opportunity to shoot, instead kicking the goalkeeper Zetter, who was injured and had to be treated before resuming play.

In the 30th minute, Gnabry played a through ball to the edge of the penalty area, and Sane found himself in a semi-breakaway situation, but his shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.

In the 33rd minute, Mainz sent a pass to the back post from the edge of the penalty area, and Kasey’s close-range volley hit the side netting.

At the half-time break, Bayern led 4-0 away from home.

Lineups:

Mainz Starting XI: 27-Zetter; 31-Kohr; 5-Letsch; 3-Kiz; 2-Mwene; 18-Amiri; 19-Kasey; 6-Soeno; 11-Sy; 17-Vidoivic; 8-Nebel; Substitutes: 1-Reis; 21-Dakost; 16-Bell; 30-Widmer; 7-Lee Jae-sung; 14-Hong Hyun-sik; 42-Gleiber; 9-Onisiwo; 44-Wipfler;

Bayern Munich Starting XI: 1-Neuer; 15-Diallo; 27-Lemar; 19-Davies; 3-Kim Min-jae; 7-Gnabry; 6-Kimmich; 10-Sane; 16-Palhinha; 42-Musiala; 9-Kane; Substitutes: 26-Ulreich; 22-Guerrero; 8-Goretzka; 17-Olise; 36-Aseko; 25-Muller; 11-Coman; 20-A. Ibrahimovic; 39-Ter;