After a bumpy start to 2023, FC Bayern Munich gave the right answer and advanced to the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup with a comfortable 4-0 win at FSV Mainz 05. FCB coach Julian Nagelsmann changed the tactical direction and put his trust in new signing João Cancelo, who thanked him with a strong performance. The game was already decided at the break, and Mainz also ended it with a man down.
FCB ratings: Nagelsmann has to acknowledge this debut – the attacker sets an exclamation mark
Compared to the draw against Frankfurt in the league, the third in a row, Benjamin Pavard rotated back into the first eleven for Josip Stanisic at FCB. In addition, new signing João Cancelo was allowed to play right from the start, while Alphonso Davies got a break. And Julian Nagelsmann actually changed the tactical formation, opting for a five-man chain with Cancelo on the right, Kingsley Coman on the left and Pavard inside. In midfield there was once again no classic next-man for Joshua Kimmich. Mainz coach Bo Svensson made three changes, including a new position on the left in the back five with Aarón Martin.
Cancelo was immediately good in the game, moving in frequently and creating space on the right wing for his colleagues. After a cross from Müller, Choupo-Moting headed over the goal (3′), and Leroy Sané ricocheted wide of the goal from 16 meters out. The FSV ran up to the guests situationally very high and generated ball wins, which also resulted in a conclusion by Barkok. The coordination of the Munich three-man chain with the people in front proved to be in need of improvement from time to time, but the small wobblers were not penalized.
But if Bayern played the game quickly – through Sané and Cancelo on the right or Müller, who often dropped -, there were immediately promising situations, the best of which was Coman, who failed at Dahmen’s foot defense from a tight angle (10′). After 15 minutes, FCB had already had six shots, shortly afterwards Choupo-Moting headed in for a deserved lead – Aaron was far too passive on Cancelo’s cross.
FSV Mainz 05 – FC Bayern: The analysis
After Mainz had to change shortly before the break due to injury (because Costa replaced Widmer), Alexander Hack and Jae-Sung Lee also came on for the second half. The latter made the midfield more offensive and Rheinhessen’s pressing even more intense at first – and it also had an effect. Despite wobbles from Upamecano and de Ligt, there were no clear conclusions. Instead, Müller almost made the decision on the other side (53’/58′). It only got really tight for Yann Sommer’s box with a flick from Caci, whereby FC Bayern now lacked defensive intensity by a few percentage points.
Daley Blind celebrated his Bayern debut in the last 25 minutes, Ryan Gravenberch (who had to be treated for a short time) was also able to gain match practice, and debutants Cancelo and Sané also had to call it a day. Mainz could not get beyond the beginnings, the same was true for FCB, who only invested the bare minimum. It was still enough for Davies to make it 4-0 (a header!), and Aytekin also sent the Mainz coach to the stands with a red card and Hack from the field with a yellow card.
Made his starting XI debut just a day after his commitment. The newcomer interpreted his role as a right winger in a strikingly offensive way – and rewarded his bilious performance with an assist (17th). In addition with some dangerous passes in the interface. Little challenged defensively (albeit with a few weak clearing actions), because he hardly gave the Mainz left side any room to breathe. That makes you want more – and must be rewarded by Nagelsmann with a view to the Wolfsburg game on Sunday!
Was almost lost against Cancelo. He couldn’t get a hold of the Portuguese for a second and often let himself be disturbed when he pressed. Significant: Martin only got into a duel once – and he lost that too. He was redeemed at the break.
Had no problems with the easy-to-manage game and didn’t make any major mistakes. The yellow cards for Widmer and Hack after tactical fouls were just as justifiable as those for Müller, who vehemently wanted to discuss with Aytekin. In the few heated scenes, he calmed people down with his usual open conversation. On the advice of his fourth assistant, he drew red for Svensson.