Jersey Swap: Maurice Krattenmacher
Does it count if Krattenmacher is actually a Bayern Munich player?
The 19-year-old Bayern academy product just made his return to the club this summer before immediately being loaned out to SSV Ulm, which at the time had not yet been drawn as Bayern’s first round DFB-Pokal opponents. Krattenmacher’s “dream draw”, as he called it, almost began with a dream start as he found himself with a clean look at Manuel Neuer’s goal only five minutes into the action.
He produced another of Ulm’s best chances of the match in the second half, collecting his own deflection and fizzing a cross across goal that found teammate Dennis Chesa, who had gotten the better of Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano. The latter’s contact was too weak to catch Neuer off guard, but a goal at that time could have changed the game. A promising display from the Bayern loanee.
Der Kaiser: Kim Min-jae
The monster is back. Kim fell out of favor in the second half of last season under Thomas Tuchel but earned a start in the first competitive match of the Vincent Kompany era. The Korean international had an active night, contesting balls all over the field — at one point in the second half charging up to near the halfway line just to make a clearance — and letting no opponent have an easy time around him.
And of course there is the passing. It was Kim’s arcing delivery that found Serge Gnabry streaking in behind the Ulm lines just two minutes after Thomas Müller had scored the opening goal — resulting promptly in a Müller brace and the game on the verge of being settled early.
Tip of the hat goes to Raphaël Guerreiro, who started over Alphonso Davies at left-back. As rumors over Davies’ future continue to swirl, Guerreiro put in a commanding shift, frequently driving forward and inverting into midfield. If that is a preview for the season, we’ll have a tough time deciding which category to place the Portuguese star for awards consideration.
Fußballgott: Joshua Kimmich
Joshua “I’m a number six” Kimmich is back, too. After a successful EURO 2024 campaign at right-back, where he had spent the previous Rückrunde, Kimmich has seen himself restored to his preferred role in central midfield. Alongside the physical but balanced play of Aleksandar Pavlović, Kimmich seemed to find his comfort zone again.
Not always being the one midfielder tasked to drop deep, Kimmich ventured up the field with confidence and with adequate cover behind him. The bulk of his touches came well into the opposition half and he found success with his trademark chipped passes. The Bayern No. 6 also played a nice corner or two and generally picked the right moments to ponder on the ball or cycle play forward. At this moment, his future in a Bayern jersey looks bright.
Der Bomber: Serge Gnabry
If we’re so back is the theme of the day, Gnabry completes the trifecta. The Germany international missed out on EURO 2024 after an injury-riddled 2023/24 campaign, leaving many to wonder where his place was in the Bayern team. But the pacy winger turned in an impressive 77-minute shift today and was easily the most solid Bayern starting attacker not named Thomas Müller. Gnabry locked down his wing up and down the field and his danger getting in behind was too much for Ulm to handle. And, unlike teammates Jamal Musiala and Mathys Tel on the day, he found his opportunity to supply a teammate and executed the chance coolly to produce a goal.
Shout-outs go to Kingsley Coman, who wrecked the Ulm right flank as soon as he came in; Michael Olise, whose first touch on his first possession led to a beautiful assist for Coman; and Harry Kane, who collected his first DFB-Pokal goal in what was amazingly his first DFB-Pokal appearance. Let’s not talk about last season, though.
Meister of the Match: Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller? He never left.
What a game this was for the Raumdeuter. Quintessentially Müller and yet tantalizingly new. The veteran offered more than a glimpse for Bayern fans as to what might be in store in his swan song season in a comprehensive performance that easily earns him MOTM honors.
If Müller’s legs are beginning to fail him, it hasn’t happened yet. The soon-to-be 35-year-old covered nearly every blade of grass today — while starting at the striker position in place of Harry Kane! Yes, he was his trademark self: an unpredictable chance-creating machine who hits everything first time, as well as Tommy on the spot — his two tap-in goals, at the 12’ and 14’ marks respectively, defining the game for Bayern.
But he was also the definition of a tireless worker, popping up in duels and providing crosses and doing defensive work — whether that was in left-back or right winger positions. Müller never looked quite right at the No. 9 position for club or country under coaches as varied as Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, and Thomas Tuchel…but maybe Vincent Kompany has found just the right structure.
As with everyone’s performances on the day, qualifications are needed. Yes, it is only the season opener. And it was only Ulm. But this was a good show for Bayern and Kompany.
Looking for more thoughts and analysis on Bayern Munich’s dominant 4-0 win over SSV Ulm in the DFB-Pokal? Good, then we have you covered with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show where we break down the starting XI, the scoring and subs, who stood out vs. who fell short, the Leon Goretzka situation, and a whole lot more. Check out the podcast on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
