FC Bayern have rounded off their training camp in Doha with a comfortable 5-0 win over KAS Eupen. The travelling fans saw a textbook display of passing and movement from the Bundesliga giants and some excellent finishing from a promising youngster.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti, who had previously expressed great satisfaction with the training camp so far, was without David Alaba (illness), Thiago and Manuel Neuer (both already left the camp), Kingsley Coman (not match fit) and Holger Badstuber (joining Schalke 04 on loan), but still sent out a starting XI packed with international class including the likes of captain Philipp Lahm, playmaker Xabi Alonso and forwards Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski.
After a gruelling week of training FCB initially needed time to settle against their energetic opponents. The Belgian top flight outfit mounted a series of dangerous attacking raids and successfully cut out the final Bayern ball at the other end. Despite their efforts over the last few days the men in red were as good on the ball as ever, and their slick passing game began to generate chances after the half-hour. Arjen Robben and Renato Sanches both saw shots blocked before Mats Hummels broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, pouncing on a loose ball in the Eupen box to net the opener and send his side in at the break a goal up.
Whilst efforts from Arjen Robben and Renato Sanches failed to find their way through, Eupen had no chance for Mats Hummels’ opening just before half time. The world champion was first to react at a corner to smash the ball over the line from a few yards out to give the Reds a half-time lead.
Boss Carlo Ancelotti made a number of changes for the second half and the new faces soon made an impact: young Fabian Benko doubled the lead three minutes into the second half with a powerful shot from just inside the penalty area. After 66 minutes Xabi Alonso’s glorious lofted pass released Arturo Vidal for a run at goal, a feint to round the Eupen keeper and a tap-in to put the Bavarians 3-0 up. The Chile enforcer turned provider five minutes later with a first-time pass to Douglas Costa, who also danced round the keeper and netted the fourth.
Bayern were still not done and Benko completed his brace ten minutes from time with a close-range finish, sealing the routine 5-0 win and a first victory of the new year for Ancelotti’s men.
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