FC Bayern wins the general test for the DFB Cup
It's the final dress rehearsal before the first competitive match of the new season: Bayern Munich faces off against WSG Tirol. Just under 10,000 spectators watch in Unterhaching as Harry Kane and Joao Palhinha score. Meanwhile, other Bayern stars sign autographs.
With Harry Kane and Joao Palhinha in the starting lineup, Bayern Munich won its dress rehearsal for the start of competitive play. Three days before the opening match in the DFB-Pokal against second-division newcomers SSV Ulm on Friday (8:45 PM), the dominant German football record champions defeated Austrian first-division side WSG Tirol 3-0 (1:0) in front of 9,531 spectators in Unterhaching.
Kane scored in the third minute, finishing off a rebound to give Bayern the lead. Joao Palhinha, signed from Fulham reportedly for around €46 million, scored a volley in the 48th minute, just after halftime. In the 50th minute, Stefan Skrbo hit the crossbar for Tirol, missing a chance to pull one back. Gabriel Vidovic sealed the victory in the 80th minute. However, the team coached by Vincent Kompany will face a tougher challenge against Ulm in the first round of the cup. "It's a knockout game, we're looking forward to it," said sporting director Christoph Freund.
Kompany gave four young players, including 18-year-old Adam Aznou, a chance to start. Regulars like Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, and Aleksandar Pavlovic were not in the lineup, but sat on the bench in civilian clothes, signing autographs. At halftime, Kompany brought on three more young players for Kane, Kingsley Coman, and Alphonso Davies.
Other Bayern professionals were not involved. Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, reportedly on the verge of a move to Manchester United, were not in the squad, nor was Leon Goretzka, who is also said to be a transfer target. The German international missed the game due to a hip contusion but was able to train during the day.
The referee made a comeback. Felix Brych, 49, officiated his first game since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in November 2021. The Munich native is also scheduled to referee Bundesliga matches this season.
After securing a convincing 3-0 victory over WSG Tirol, FC Bayern Munich prepares for their first competitive match against SSV Ulm in the DFB-Pokal. Despite the absence of some star players, Bayern's reserve team, including new signing Joao Palhinha, impressed during the pre-season game.
