Marcel Sabitzer versus Benfica / Image: GEPA pictures
Munich. A little more patience was required at Bayern Munich, but in the end there was a confident 4-0 win at Benfica Lisbon. Goals from the outstanding Leroy Sané (70th, 85th), an own goal by Everton (80th) and Robert Lewandowski (83rd) brought the German record champions at the location of the Champions League victory in 2020 a big step closer to promotion to the second round .
It was not Julian Nagelsmann who cheered on the line, but his assistant Dino Toppmöller. The flu infection that kept the Bayern head coach away from the Estadio da Luz ultimately turned out to be a corona infection. So instead of celebrating the clear victory with the team, the 34-year-old had to fly to Munich separately from his players in a separate ambulance plane and go into domestic isolation. “I am doing well under the circumstances,” said Nagelsmann. The club emphasized that he was infected despite “complete vaccination protection”. Since Nagelsmann traveled with the team, further corona cases can only be ruled out after tests have been evaluated. On Saturday against Hoffenheim, the assistants will be on the line again.
Technical problems with a difference
The son of the former Bundesliga coach Klaus Toppmöller did not want to “hang on the big bell” for his new job as interim boss. “I'm glad we won the game and that we represented Julian well in the coaching team,” said Dino Toppmöller. After technical malfunctions in the first half, at least after the break, he was connected to his boss via radio via the analysts in the stands – and the substitutions were announced. “You can see that Julian is sick, but still very fast in his head – and had a great idea,” said Toppmöller, referring to the invigorating substitution for Serge Gnabry.
Three wins and 12-0 goals mean a Bayern record from the first three games of a premier league season. No international competitor started this season as well as the Munich team. “When you see how hungry they have always been in the last few years, also in the championship – that's one of our great strengths. I hope it stays that way, ”said Sané.
For the first time in the starting line-up was Marcel Sabitzer, who represented the sick Leon Goretzka. The ÖFB legionnaire did not seem to be optimally integrated into the team: He only had almost half as many ball contacts as Joshua Kimmich and played half as many duels, all of which he lost. Toppmöller was generally satisfied with the 27-year-old, but also said: “He can certainly put his stamp on the game even more.”
