Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. SSV Ulm in the DFB-Pokal; Arsenal, Tottenham battling for Kingsley Coman?; Updates on Adam Hložek, Xherdan Shaqiri, Paris Brunner, Robin Gosens, and Kalvin Phillips; plus MORE!

Bayern Munich’s DFB-Pokal match against SSV Ulm pretty much went as expected.

The Bavarians were dominant and rarely threatened by SSV Ulm, which led to a result that really did not tell us much more about the state of the squad than we already knew. Here are some quick hitters on the match:

• As always, let’s take a look at the starting XI:

• Kompany hinted that Harry Kane, João Palhinha, Alphonso Davies, and Michael Olise probably would not start. We also knew that Hiroki Ito (long-term injury), Arijon Ibrahimović (long-term injury), Leroy Sané (injury — not a lot of information given), Sacha Boey (injury — not a lot of information given), Gabriel Vidović (minor ailment), and Leon Goretzka.(benched, did not dress) were all unavailable. That left for a very interesting mix of players.
• After some choppiness, Thomas Müller put Bayern Munich on the scoreboard with a goal in the 12th minute, Joshua Kimmich did the yeoman’s work in getting into the box (and getting hauled down for what might have been a penalty). Kimmich did a great job in trying to get off a shot, which deflected over to Müller.
• Just two minutes later, Müller did it again after Serge Gnabry slid him over a perfect pass while the two players were bearing down on goal ahead of the rest of the pack. Müller was on fire!
• Otherwise, the first half was one where Bayern Munich dominated play, but did not break through for another score. The defense was not really tested and the midfield did not have to deal with any exceptional issues. It was just a solid (not spectacular) half.
• The second half offered more of the same. There were some fun moments, but SSV Ulm was conservative enough to limit damage.
• The backline was solid. A lot of fans were focusing on Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano, who did what they needed to do. There were very few miscues.
• Bayern Munich did manage to get on the board two more times with goals from Kingsley Coman (assisted by Michael Olise) and Harry Kane (assisted by Müller).
• If there was something to pick on, it was the respective performances of Mathys Tel and Jamal Musiala. They both just felt like they were forcing things a bit and trying to insert themselves into the match, rather than just letting the game come to them.
• Overall, Bayern Munich did what it needed to do and got some standout performances along the way. This was the first step in a long journey that will surely have its ups-and-downs. It was a positive game and a dominant effort…against an inferior team. Take the win and run, just know that harder foes are waiting ahead.

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

Tottenham Hotspur might be throwing its hat into the ring against Arsenal FC (and maybe FC Barcelona, too) for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman:

Kingsley Coman is the subject of transfer interest from Arsenal, as Bayern Munich is making him available for permanent or loan transfers. Their new manager, Vincent Kompany, considers Coman surplus to requirements and is willing to part with the serial winner.

Coman is one of the most successful players of all time, with a record of major trophies, and Arsenal is keen on signing him. A loan move would allow the Gunners to assess whether he fits their system before committing to a permanent transfer.

However, Arsenal now faces competition for his signature, as a report from Football365 indicates that Tottenham has also entered the race. Spurs’ manager, Ange Postecoglou, favours playing with fast wingers, which could make Coman a good fit for his system.

Tottenham will aim to outmanoeuvre Arsenal to secure his signature before the transfer window closes. This means they will need to persuade Coman to choose them over a team competing in the Champions League.

As someone who respects Coman’s talent (while also acknowledging he has some major deficiencies and limitations), any of these clubs would be silly to take on a player with his salary and injury history at this stage.

Bayern Munich’s preseason is essentially over (the new friendly vs. Grasshopper Club Zürich notwithstanding) and the team is looking more and more like a finished product.

That said, a lot happened since our last Weekend Warm-up Show, so there was a lot to talk about. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

• Since we last spoke: Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui officially skipped town for Manchester United, Désiré Doué chose Paris Saint-Germain, Alphonso Davies is in limbo, and Kingsley Coman’s future is up in the air. This is fine.
• Marco Reus is off to MLS and the LA Galaxy. Will Robert Lewandowski join him at some point? Also, some brief thoughts on the steroid topic from this week.
• What can go right and what can wrong for Bayern Munich.
• A brief entertainment rundown and some podcast-related announcements.

Bayer Leverkusen attacker Adam Hložek looks to be on his way to Hoffenheim:

At one point just a few years ago, Hložek was being evaluated by Bayern Munich.

Crystal Palace could be looking to jump on Union Berlin’s Robin Gosens:

It is tough to know what Gosens wants to do. Union Berlin’s project flame out horribly last year and left just about everyone involved searching for a way out. If Gosens leaves, that will be a big loss to Die Eisernen.

Bayern Munich downed Austrian side WSG Tirol 3-0 in Unterhaching in a match that was unimpressive, but did achieve the goal of getting some younger players time, while allowing the veterans to shake off a little more rust ahead of the DFB-Pokal match against SSV Ulm.

Let’s get to it and discuss how this match played out:

• A look at Vincent Kompany’s odd lineup and why there were not that many experienced reserves available.
• A rundown of the scoring and substitutes. The first half was slow, but the second’s effort was better.
• Talking Grayson Dettoni (it would have been great to see him play).
• The game lacked any offensive cohesion and that aggressive press was absent as well.
• A missed opportunity for Leon Goretzka.
• Gabriel Vidović has probably performed at a level that will garner him enough interest to either be loaned again or sold outright.
• Where does Bayern Munich go from here?

Former Bayern Munich player Xherdan Shaqiri left the Chicago Fire for FC Basel:

Young German striker Paris Brunner has left Borussia Dortmund and will try to make a name for himself with AS Monaco:

So preseason is practically over and Bayern Munich have emerged with the prestigious Visit Malta Cup and extended bragging rights over Tottenham Hotspur supporters. However, who were the major winners and losers from the whole exercise? What did we learn about Vincent Kompany’s plans for next season?

In this episode, INNN and Samrin discuss the following:

• What is up with Leon Goretzka? Is he finally being pushed out?
• Will Vincent Kompany actually use Thomas Müller in an important role this season?
• Why Harry Kane might need to adjust his game.
• The new midfield — first impressions of Palhinha, and Joshua Kimmich’s current role.
• What we like from Kompany so far.
• The issue of selling Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, and how this may have unforeseen consequences.
• Will Bayern Munich make further transfers this summer?
• Answering supporter questions re: Upamecano, the squad planning, and transfers.

Well, this move went down for Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips, who is headed to Ipswich Town:

Paris Saint-Germain might be out of the running for Manchester United attacker Jadon Sancho:

Paris Saint-Germain have cooled their interest in Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho and may also pull out of the race to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli.