Irresistible Reds pick up where they left off

FC Bayern downed FC Schalke 8-0 in Friday night's Bundesliga reopener. Serge Gnabry handed the treble winners an early lead, Leon Goretzka and Robert Lewandowski extending the advantage in the first half. Gnabry scored two goals after half-time to bag a hat-trick, Müller adding his name to the scoresheet before new signing Leroy Sané and 17-year-old sub Jamal Musiala both scored their debut goals for the German record champions.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, Niklas Süle and Lucas Hernández in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Sané, Thomas Müller and Gnabry, with hitman Lewandowski up front. Corentin Tolisso, Chris Richards, Michaël Cuisance, Musiala and Joshua Zirkzee took over from Tolisso, Boateng, Sané, Gnabry and Müller in the second half.

Plain sailing

Once referee Felix Zwayer had whistled play underway, Schalke had an early chance, Neuer denying Gonçalo Paciência. Apart from that, Bayern hit the ground running and drew first blood when Kimmich's pinpoint through-ball found Gnabry, who spun and scored the first goal of the campaign. Lewandowski almost netted a second a minute later but saw his effort blocked, but Goretzka doubled the lead when Müller cut the ball back to the former Schalke man, who blasted home from the edge of the box.

Lewandowski miscued and keeper Ralf Fährmann denied Kimmich, but Bayern camped out in their opponents' half. A third was coming and arrived when Ozan Kabak flattened Lewandowski in the box, the latter expertly dispatching the ensuing penalty. Goretzka saw an effort parried, Süle crashing the rebound against the post, and a wide Gnabry shot meant Bayern were three up at half-time.

Thrashing after half-time

Proceedings were similar after the interval, Sané inviting Gnabry to tap in. Gnabry completed his hat-trick on the hour mark when Sané chested down a ball and set up Bayern's new No.7, who nutmegged Fährmann. Tolisso headed over, but Lewandowski soon shone with a Rabona to Müller, who rounded off the half-dozen.

But Bayern had not had enough, Kimmich's through-ball finding the galloping Sané, who netted his debut goal for Bayern. Musiala rounded off the scoring on a night he will never forget, sidestepping a number of defenders before blasting inside the near post, and Zwayer put Schalke out of their misery.

The Bavarians will be back in action on Thursday, when they cross swords with Sevilla in the UEFA Supercup final.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen