Musiala announces final claims to the World Cup starting eleven
In the last game before the winter break, FC Bayern won easily against Schalke. Jamal Musiala once again shows his class. In this form, there is probably no getting past the 19-year-old for national coach Flick.
Dhe Bayern stars presented themselves in World Cup form at FC Schalke 04 and consolidated their lead in the Bundesliga. Led by the outstanding German international Jamal Musiala, coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team deservedly defeated the bottom of the league 2-0 (1-0) on Saturday.
In front of 62,271 spectators in Gelsenkirchen, Munich’s attacking artists showed all their skills – even if Torfabrik didn’t manage to win this time. Serge Gnabry in the 38th minute and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (52nd) scored for FC Bayern against Schalke, who fought bravely but were mostly harmless up front. It was the tenth competitive win in a row for the front runner. At least until Sunday, the lead over second place is six points. Schalke, on the other hand, is already five points behind the relegation place.
As expected, Bayern took command from the start. The Nagelsmann team let the ball run well through their own ranks, but initially couldn’t get through against the well-organized Schalke defense. The hosts compensated for footballing disadvantages with a lot of commitment and compactness in the game against the ball.
Nagelsmann had chosen an offensive line-up. Right-back Noussair Mazraoui, ruled out of the starting XI with a hamstring problem, was replaced in defense by midfielder Joshua Kimmich. Of the seven German World Cup participants, only the ailing Thomas Müller was absent, as announced.
Bayern showed the better game, but Schalke had the first really good chance. Marius Bülter rushed Kimmich on the flank, moved to the middle, but failed from an acute angle at national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (24th). On the other side, Tom Krauss cleared a Gnabry header just before the line.
Musiala: Two assists, one just offside
The pressure from Bayern now increased. Choupo-Moting was unlucky when he headed off the post. A co-production by two German World Cup drivers gave Bayern the lead: Musiala, who was again very enthusiastic about playing, put his heel down in the penalty area, and Gnabry shot in to make it 1-0.
Musiala (left) gave Choupo-Moting the 2-0 lead
Source: AFP/UWE KRAFT
And Bayern followed suit. There was nothing to be seen of a possible World Cup overhaul. Choupo-Moting completed a textbook counterattack to make it 2-0 – again Musiala had prepared well. In this form, there is probably no getting past the 19-year-old for national coach Flick.
Schalke didn’t give up. Will and commitment were not to be denied in the team coached by Thomas Reis. But that wasn’t enough to seriously endanger the sovereign Bavaria again. Gnabry missed it clearly in front of Schalke goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow to make the victory even higher. A beautiful Musiala goal didn’t count because of an offside position.
For the World Cup travelers, the journey continues practically without a break. National coach Hansi Flick is already gathering his Qatar squad in Frankfurt this Sunday. The Bayern players should appear in a good mood.
