Bayern Munich 6-0 Schalke: Thomas Tuchel’s side romp to win to retain control of Bundesliga title race
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 13/05/2023 at 15:40 GMT
The destiny of the Bundeslige title is in Bayern Munich’s hands, and the defending champions kept up the pressure on big rivals Borussia Dortmund with victory over Schalke at the Allianz Arena. Bayern have not been at their imperious best this season, but Thomas Tuchel’s side held their nerve on Saturday afternoon. Thomas Muller set up the easy win with an early goal.
Joshua Kimmich celebrates during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Schalke 04 at Allianz Arena on May 13, 2023 in Munich, Germany
Image credit: Getty Images
Bayern Munich ensured they would finish the weekend at the top of the Bundesliga after a comfortable 6-0 win at home to struggling Schalke, with Serge Gnabry scoring a brace.
Thomas Tuchel's side dominated the first half and it was only the saves of Alexander Schwolow that was keeping The Royal Blues in the game.
It was Thomas Muller who broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, being set up by Leroy Sane, and he sidefooted a first-time shot into the corner from just inside the box.
The Bavarians doubled their lead eight minutes later through a penalty after Jamal Musiala was on the receiving end of a stray elbow. And skipper Joshua Kimmich sent Schwolow the wrong way for his fifth goal of the season.
The visitors brought on Maya Yoshida at the break but it changed little as the hosts made it 3-0 when Gnabry found space and fired in a low shot after being set up by Joao Cancelo.
And the former Arsenal man got his second after a poor pass from Yoshida which allowed him to round the goalkeeper and score, while substitute Mathys Tel grabbed the fifth after steering in Musiala's pass to complete the rout.
Noussair Mazraoui rounded out the romp with his first Bundesliga goal in injury time.
The result means the reigning champions have a four-point lead at the top of the table over Borussia Dortmund who play Borussia Monchengladbach later on Saturday.
TALKING POINT - Should Cedric Brunner have seen red in the first half?
VAR took an age to award Bayern a penalty after Brunner's stray elbow caught Musiala in the jaw and saw him need treatment. The defender was shown a yellow but he can consider himself lucky to stay on the pitch.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)
He has had an inconsistent season but Gnabry looked back to his best, making it four goals in his past three games. His pace and late runs into the box were too much for the Schalke defence to deal with.
PLAYER RATINGS
BAYERN MUNICH: Sommer 5, Mazraoui 7, Pavard 5, De Ligt 6, Cancelo 7, Kimmich 8, Sane 6, Muller 8, Musiala 6, Coman 6, Gnabry 9. Subs: Gravenberch 6, Tel n/a, Goretzka n/a, Mane n/a, Upemecano n/a.
SCHALKE: Schwolow 6, Brunner 4, Van den Berg 7, Kaminski 5, Uronen 5, Latza 5, Kral 6, Karaman 5, Krauß 5, Bülter 6, Frey 4. Subs: Yoshida 5, Skarke n/a, Polter n/a, Drexler n/a, Ouwejan n/a.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:
21' - GOAL FOR BAYERN! Muller breaks the deadlock after coolly sidefooting his first-time shot into the corner from just inside the box.
29' - GOAL FOR BAYERN! Brunner appears to catch Musiala with a stray elbow and its a penalty. Kimmich steps up and sends the 'keeper the wrong way.
50' - GOAL FOR BAYERN! Gnabry scores with a fierce effort at the near post after good play to find him from Cancelo.
65' - GOAL FOR BAYERN! Seconds after Muller misses an open goal from three yards, Gnabry capitalises on Yoshida's poor pass before rounding Schwolow and tapping home.
80' - GOAL FOR BAYERN Substitute Tel scores after steering in Musiala's pass.
90'+2 - GOAL FOR BAYERN! Mazraoui scores his first league goal for the club via the post!
KEY STAT
For the first time since February 2020, Gnabry scores for the third consecutive game in the Bundesliga.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article