He proudly tucked the ball under his arm and walked down the stairs, through the open hatch, and back into the dressing room, off the big stage at the Allianz Arena. Harry Kane made sure to take the match ball with him – to serve as a reminder of this historic day.
FC Bayern beat a helpless VfL Bochum 7-0 on Matchday 5 and are now top of the Bundesliga, at least until tomorrow.
"Super Bayern! Super Bayern!" sang the Südkürve after the resounding victory, celebrating the goalfest during Oktoberfest time and jumping arm in arm.
Historic moment from Kane
Kane had already scored his fifth league goal for FCB in his fifth match with the goal to make it 2-0. The Englishman also set a new club record with the penalty for 5-0 at the interval – and then added onto this record with his final goal making it 7:0. The other goals were scored by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (4’), Matthijs de Ligt (29’), Leroy Sané (38’) and Mathys Tel (81’).
No one had ever before scored seven goals in their first five league appearances FC Bayern. The previous record of five goals in the first five league games was held jointly by three other players: Gerd Müller (1965), Miroslav Klose (2007) and Mario Mandžukić (2012).
"I’m happy that I could help the team win with my goals. I feel comfortable here and I’m getting to know the team better and better. I hope to add a few more goals to the tally," Kane said after the match.
Playing consistently at a high level
Things simply went well for the German record champions on Saturday. Right from the start, the unconditional will to win was evident, as was the courage to play a dynamically offensive game and the decisiveness in front of goal.
Bochum may have had a plan, but it became obsolete early on. Kane added: "We made it look easy with the way we played and the mentality we had going into the game. Everyone on our team was switched on and put in a top performance. We played fast and used our speed on the wings. That presented Bochum with big problems."
Appetite for goals never waned
While FCB were clearly dominant, their appetite for goals waned at no point. A success that was good for everyone – certainly also for players like Choupo-Moting and de Ligt, for whom it was their first Bundesliga start this season against VfL. Frans Krätzig also made his Bundesliga debut. The only downer on this afternoon: de Ligt had to be substituted at half-time after a knock. "He got a knock on his knee and will be examined, then we will see," said coach Thomas Tuchel at the press conference.
On the Theresienwiese in Munich, people are celebrating at the Oktoberfest – and there was a veritable party in the Allianz Arena. Without frills, simply with enormous speed. President Herbert Hainer thought the same: "It was a thoroughly enjoyable game. We put them under pressure for 90 minutes and showed no let-up. The goals were brilliant. It was a very successful afternoon. The clean sheet pleases me the most," he summed up.
Tuchel especially praised his team's "hard work" and described their performance as another "step forwards". Tuchel concluded: "It was a very consistent performance at a high level.
Cheerful ahead of the Wiesn
The mood ahead of FC Bayern's Oktoberfest visit on Sunday could not be better. "It was an excellent precursor for our team trip to the Wiesn tomorrow,” said Hainer.
The reaction to the resounding victory against Bochum
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