Bayern Munich win friendly 27-0 after sealing Kim Min-jae signing

Summer football friendlies are intended to prepare for the cut and thrust of a new competitive campaign, but it is questionable how much Bayern Munich learned from their first assignment of pre-season, a distinctly one-sided 27-0 victory against Rottach-Egern.

At the Bundesliga champions’ camp in picturesque Tegernsee, Jamal Musiala opened the scoring for Thomas Tuchel’s side after three minutes, with Serge Gnabry doubling the lead a minute later. By the 13th minute it was 5-0, Musiala and Gnabry both having scored twice, with the Canada international Alphonso Davies adding the third on eight minutes.

By half-time it was 18-0: Mathys Tel and Musiala both scored five goals, with a hat-trick for Gnabry. Konrad Laimer, Noussair Mazraoui, Dayot Upamecano and Leroy Sané were also on the scoresheet.

It was a new-look Bayern lineup after the break but there was little respite for their non-league opponents. Marcel Sabitzer scored five goals between the 50th and 73rd minutes, with Raphaël Guerreiro, Ryan Gravenberch, Kingsley Coman and, finally, Sadio Mané completing what can safely be described as a rout.

The final 27-0 scoreline betters previous results against the same opponents: 20-2 in 2018 and 23-0 in 2019.

Bayern’s meeting with the treble-winning Manchester City in Japan, on 26 July, is likely to be a tougher test, with pre-season fixtures against Liverpool, in Singapore, and Monaco also booked in.

The South Korea defender, Kim Min-jae, was there to watch his new teammates in action after completing his transfer from the Italian champions Napoli, signing a five-year contract. Bayern did not disclose the transfer fee but according to German and Italian media they paid a release clause worth €50m (£43m) for the player.

“FC Bayern is a dream for every footballer,” Kim said. “I’m really looking forward to what’s to come in Munich. It’s a new beginning for me. I’ll continue to develop here.

“In discussions with the club, it was made clear to me from the start how interested they are in me. My first goal is to play a lot of games. In addition, I want to win as many trophies as possible.”

The 26-year-old, who joined Napoli from Fenerbahce in July last year, was a vital part of the team that won the Scudetto for the first time in more than three decades.

“Kim Min-jae has developed extremely well, winning the Serie A title with Napoli last season and being voted the best defender in the league,” Jan-Christian Dreesen, the Bayern chief executive, said.

Kim played 45 matches in all competitions in Naples, scoring twice. He announced he had left the Italian side on Tuesday.

“I send this message to all the Napoli fans who have shown love and support. Thanks to you the Scudetto was possible after [Diego] Maradona, 33 years ago,” Kim wrote on Instagram.

“To my passionate club Napoli, Mister [Luciano] Spalletti, my teammates, and above all, to Napoli fans, I would like to express my gratitude. No matter where I will be or no matter where I go, I will remember Napoli and cheer for you.”

Sport, G. (2023, July 18). Bayern Munich win friendly 27-0 after sealing Kim Min-jae signing. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/18/bayern-munich-rottach-egern-kim-min-jae-napoli