FC Bayern are ready: 3-1 win in the Telekom Cup as a marker ahead of the Supercup

Just one week to go until the first competitive match of the season – and FC Bayern seem more than ready! Vincent Kompany’s team beat RB Leipzig 3-1 in the Telekom Cup at the Allianz Arena, giving a lot of reasons to believe in a successful start to the season in a true acid test in midsummer temperatures of 33 degrees in Munich. Now they turn their focus to the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup at Borussia Dortmund next week, but first, the dress rehearsal at second-tier side FC Heidenheim on Tuesday evening awaits them.

A marker for the coming weeks

The atmosphere at the Arena showed what’s to come in the next few weeks: a full house, Mexican waves after less than half an hour and lots of confidence at every level of the club. Sporting director Christoph Freund spoke of “a true acid test” in “great conditions” and “a dress rehearsal for Saturday”, Vincent Kompany praised the positive pre-season with challenging friendlies and the clear goal of “approaching the first competitive match with full confidence.” Board member for sport Max Eberl recalled last year’s 6-0 victory over RB Leipzig in the first Bundesliga match and said the team now had to “build up” this special rhythm with lots of momentum again – against a bar FC Bayern themselves set high.

The match at the Allianz Arena began with a special home debut for Nathaniel ‘Nene’ Brown and a good start for Tim Binder. The 19-year-old had recently told fcbayern.com how exciting pre-season feels for him and his young colleagues. Konrad Laimer had to be replaced with a knock early in the game, the industrious Sacha Boey taking over. Binder and a mistake by Leipzig invited Luis Díaz to hand Bayern the lead – a clinical goal that was a reminder of last season’s attacking power. Bayern were in control in the first half, allowed only one clear-cut chance. 59 percent possession and a high pass completion rate emphasised their dominance.

Manuel Neuer’s strong saves

Leipzig took more risks after the restart and Manuel Neuer made two sublime saves against Johan Bakayoko and the post saved Bayern before Gruda scored an equaliser that was deserved at that point. But Bayern remained solid and soon responded: Aleksandar Pavlović played a strong through ball, Brown beat his man and scored his first goal at gome to make it 2-1. Numerous subs provided fresh energy later on: talents like Wisdom Mike and Maycon Cardozo brought impetus before Ismael Saibari made his debut in Bayern colours and soon teed up Jamal Musiala, who rounded off the scoreline.

Almost the entire FC Bayern squad gained playing time in the Telekom Cup, only four players from each team didn’t get off the bench, including the goalkeepers. There were 19 substitutions. An exhausted but happy Pavlović praised the special team spirit, the team’s “great mentality” and the high quality of new signings Nathaniel Brown and Ismael Saibari. Captain Manuel Neuer spoke of a “deserved victory” and a team that’s “fun to watch.” FC Bayern are brimming with confidence in the decisive week before the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup after a 3-1 victory over last season's third-placed side and with the Telekom Cup trophy – the second title after the Audi Football Summit in Hong Kong. The dress rehearsal will come in Heidenheim on Tuesday evening.

The reaction to the Telekom Cup: