Bayern Munich’s 6-1 Bundesliga victory over Holstein Kiel on Saturday means the (good) problem will be to decide which of the excellent players deserve an extra tip of the hat. Here’s our awardees.
Jersey Swap: Magnus Knudsen
On the evidence of this performance, it will be very difficult-but not impossible for Holstein Kiel to remain in the Bundesliga. Part of a newly promoted side’s efforts to stay in the league comes down to how well their new signings perform and integrate themselves into their side. Based on this performance, 23-year-old Magnus Knudsen’s integration is going well. He was Kiel’s one solid performer in midfield despite his tender age and status as a new transfer, winning most of his duels and completing most of his passes as his partners Nicolai Remberg and Lewis Holtby suffered abysmal games. Shout-out to Armin Gigović, too, who came on for Holtby and scored the team’s lone goal with a phenomenal late run and header.
Der Kaiser: Dayot Upamecano
Let’s start with an easy award. Dayot Upamecano, fresh off of an international break in which he underlined his status as France’s No.1 CB, picked up where he left off with a dominant display. The Frenchman won the vast majority of his duels, picked passes past the opposition press all day and even nearly scored at the end. What a performance.
Der Fußballgott: Jamal Musiala
This might be slightly cheating, but Jamal Musiala is technically an attacking midfielder. Despite only playing 45 minutes today, it was Musiala’s well taken goal after just 14 seconds that helped Bayern on their way to a comfortable victory, then Musiala’s phenomenal dribbling that was responsible for the own goal that completed a stunning opening 10 minutes for the Bavarian giants. It was not just his goal contributions that set him apart, however, as he popped up all over the pitch, gliding past opponents and causing havoc amongst the opposition backline. How so very fitting for Musiala to drop such a performance after a certain mouthy pundit criticized him so heavily this past week. After such a great performance, he was allowed to take an extended break, safe in the knowledge that he had indeed made his team better…unlike what some people think.
Der Bomber: Kingsley Coman
Here we arrive at the most difficult award to give out. Does Serge Ganbry get an award for a performance filled with incredible explosiveness and many dangerous opportunities along with the crucial interception for the second goal? Does Michael Olise get it for his first goal in a Bayern shirt? In the end, Kingsley Coman takes the prize. It was interesting to see him get a start, two weeks after the German transfer window and the Bavarian giants’ efforts offload the Frenchman ended. But he made the most of his opportunity, displaying sublime skill on multiple occasions to beat two, three, even four opponents in limited space and proving impossible to handle all night long. His propensity for making sudden runs into space and his unpredictability make him a good fit in Kompany’s system and were crucial to the making of his assist for the fourth goal, which Harry Kane stroked home from distance. Speaking of the Englishman…
Man of the Match: Harry Kane
Could it really have been anyone else? Harry Edward Kane MBE continues to prove his doubters wrong with yet another brilliant goal scoring performance. Despite being criticized for a poor EURO 2024 performance, Kane has yet again reminded us why he is so indubitably brilliant with a phenomenal three goals, taking advantage of multiple half-chances in the first half to score two — while somehow contriving to miss the easy chances — before completing his hat-trick with a penalty he won himself in the second half. This takes his seasonal tally to five goals in four matches. Not bad for a past-it has been, right?
Looking for more thoughts and analysis on Bayern Munich’s massive 6-1 blowout of Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga? Great, then we have just what you need with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show, which is available on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
