Bayern kick off year with impressive victory over Salzburg

FC Bayern beat Red Bull Salzburg 6-0 on Monday in their only winter friendly match before resuming the 2024/25 campaign against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Eric Dier, Thomas Müller and Michael Olise handed Bayern a comfortable lead before half-time. Olise rounded off his brace before Joshua Kimmich made it five in the second half, with sub Jonathan Asp Jensen sealing the final scoreline.

Bayern started with Daniel Peretz in goal and Konrad Laimer, Dier, Minjae Kim and Alphonso Davies in defence. Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Olise, Müller and Leroy Sané, with Harry Kane up front.

Dominant display

Munich were dominant from the off and took the lead when Dier rose high to head home from a corner. Kane then saw a shot parried, with Müller on hand to mop up and make it two. Olise soon intercepted a pass by Salzburg keeper Alexander Schlager and slotted in. Schlager made amends with a good save to deny Olise a second before Mads Bidstrup fired wide at the other end as Bayern were three up at half-time.

Plain sailing

Boss Vincent Kompany made 11 changes during the second period, but the pattern remained the same, and Laimer soon set up Olise, who sidestepped a defender and tapped in from close range. Kimmich's effort from distance found the net with the help of a deflection before a Guerreiro cross invited Jensen to round off the half-dozen and the final scoreline in Austria.

Bayern resume their Bundesliga campaign on Saturday away at Gladbach to kick off a busy January.