Start of the premier class – “That was fun”: Bavaria’s brand in Europe – Bavaria

Munich (dpa) – What a start. Bayern are celebrating a blast in Europe in their own stadium, where they definitely want to play the Champions League final on May 31, 2025. The 9-2 (3-0) win against Dinamo Zagreb is a remarkable achievement.

Nine goals in one game – no team in Europe’s premier football league has ever scored so many before the German record champions. It is also FC Bayern’s biggest win in 295 Champions League matches. Only two teams have won by a bigger margin, Real Madrid and Liverpool FC, each with 8-0 victories.

Kompany’s “extraordinary” debut

Things are going well for new coach Vincent Kompany in Munich. Three wins in the Bundesliga, one in the DFB Cup – and now a successful debut as a coach in the Champions League. “It was a great evening for us, it was fun,” said the 38-year-old Belgian after a game that he described as “a bit unusual”. 3:0, 3:2, and finally 9:2 – what a show!

“The team showed joy in playing,” rejoiced the coach, who loves the offensive spectacle and wants to thrill the audience with fast-paced pressing football. After their nine-goal gala, Bayern will probably be the first to top the table in the new league system. That is not so important to Kompany: “We only played one game.”

Magnificent Kane

Of course: Harry Kane towered over everyone else in the sold-out Allianz Arena. For the first time, the Englishman scored four times in the Champions League. He scored three times from the penalty spot. These were his 50th to 53rd competitive goals in a Bayern shirt. And since Tuesday evening, Kane has also been the most successful English goalscorer in the Champions League with 33 goals. The 31-year-old overtook Wayne Rooney (30 goals).

“An exciting, a crazy game,” Kane enthused at the end of a “fantastic evening.” He took home the match ball and the Man of the Match trophy. Many wondered how England’s captain would mentally cope with losing the European Championship final against Spain in the summer. “Harry is a leader. Such players know that they have to get up.” “He is motivated,” Kompany replied. After five games this season for Bayern, Kane has already scored nine goals. The 100 million euro man is continuing to pay back.

Also in focus: Neuer, Sané, Goretzka

Manuel Neuer was given the all-clear before midnight, including by himself. The injury to his thigh, which the captain sustained during a rescue attempt with his head early in the game, was “nothing serious”. Nevertheless, Kompany avoided “any risk” and put Sven Ulreich in goal at half-time, who had to swallow two goals from the Croatians.

Substitute national player Leroy Sané celebrated a goal-scoring comeback after his groin operation. And in injury time, Leon Goretzka also got on the scoresheet. The 29-year-old, who has just had a difficult time at FC Bayern and was not even given a place in the squad by Kompany in the 6-1 win in Kiel, was substituted on late by the coach this time and promptly scored the 9-2. The former national player did not want to celebrate much. And Goretzka did not like talking to the reporters either.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:240918-930-235641/1