Musiala's brilliant strike makes the difference against Pauli

FC Bayern beat St. Pauli 1-0 in the Bundesliga on Saturday to make it five wins and clean sheets in a row in all competitions. Bayern were dominant throughout but struggled against the home side's dogged defending, and Jamal Musiala's thumping long-range drive was the touch of individual quality that separated the sides.

Bayern started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Raphaël Guerreiro, Dayot Upamecano, Minjae Kim and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Leroy Sané, Musiala and Kingsley Coman, with Harry Kane up front. Konrad Laimer, Serge Gnabry, João Palhinha, Michael Olise and Thomas Müller came on for Guerreiro, Coman, Goretzka, Sané and Musiala in the second half.

Musiala fires in opener

Bayern dominated possession from the start, with St. Pauli solid at the back and looking to strike on the break. Musiala soon tried to set up Sané, but his pass was intercepted. Musiala saw a shot saved but shone when he won the ball in Pauli's half and unleashed a belter from 30 yards that found the net via the underside of the bar.

Kane fired one wide before Karol Mets hit one over at the other end. A Sané effort was blocked as Bayern went into half-time a goal to the good.

Chances at a premium

Proceedings were similar after the interval. Aside from a Kane header that went just wide, chances were few and far between. Kane and Goretzka saw efforts deflected behind before Pauli keeper Nikola Vasilj denied Goretzka and Sané.

Kane put an effort over as the game opened up in the closing stages. Musiala almost put the game to bed, but his shot was deflected over. Vasilj denied Musiala and Kane was on hand to mop up the rebound, but the goal was chalked off for offside as Bayern wrapped up three points.

The result means Bayern top the table on 26 points from 10 matches, six ahead of RB Leipzig, who take on Borussia Mönchengladbach later on Saturday. A number of Bayern players will be on national team duty during the international break before Munich return to action on 22 November, when they entertain Augsburg in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen