FCB display creativity, commitment and team spirit

Munich is gripped by Oktoberfest once again and the atmosphere in the city is electric. This transmitted to the Allianz Arena on Saturday afternoon, where FC Bayern eased to a 4-0 win over Mainz. The Reds enjoyed themselves and their attacking display delighted the home fans.

“It was a very positive performance today. I think we controlled everything well from the beginning and had lots of good moments,” said a pleased sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic afterwards. The German record champions pegged the visitors back in their own half right from kick-off and their quick interplay created numerous chances. The early pressure was rewarded in only the 11^th minute when Thomas Müller opened the scoring.

Robben scores with his right

“We set our goals high again and we were keen to lay down a marker,” commented the goalscorer. The performance against Mainz was the right response to last weekend’s defeat in Hoffenheim. With sharp passing in between the Mainz defence, Bayern were constantly looking for a way through. That was how Arjen Robben found himself one-on-one against René Adler in the 23^rd minute and he chipped the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 – with his right foot! “It’s no secret that my left foot is stronger but today the right worked too,” said the Dutchman.

Despite having a comfortable cushion, FCB by no means took their foot off the gas. Robert Lewandowski made it 3-0 shortly after half-time before adding another goal in the 77^th minute. “We played well with a good intensity. Our four attacking players combined and moved well,” assessed Ancelotti. “It was our best performance of the season so far,” said Joshua Kimmich, who set up three of the four goals.

Same again on Tuesday

“We played creatively and we played as a team. There’s nothing to criticise today,” praised Müller. “Now we need to try to take this momentum into the next game,” added the World Cup winner, with no time to rest before the next assignment.

“Now it’s onto a difficult task in Schalke,” said Mats Hummels, already looking ahead to the next match on Tuesday. While the majority of the city will be celebrating Oktoberfest in the coming days, Robben and co will be working hard on the training field. “Now we need to keep going and prove that this performance wasn’t a one-off. It was good and we enjoyed it. That’s how we need to play, with this aggression in attack,” stated the winger.