FC Bayern routed Union Berlin just before the start of Oktoberfest. FCBinside offers three takeaways from the match.
The 7-0 victory over Union Berlin was FC Bayern’s most decisive show of strength so far this Bundesliga season—the game yielded the following insights:
1. This is Bayern’s most important project for the future
Michael Olise’s current form has definitively reached a world-class level. Against Union, the 24-year-old scored the first hat trick of his club career, set up Harry Kane’s goal to make it 4-0, and also drew the penalty that the Englishman converted to make it 2-0. Olise was thus directly involved in five of Bayern’s seven goals.
His season stats are almost absurd: In seven competitive matches, the Frenchman has eight goals and three assists. On average, Olise is directly involved in a goal every 51 minutes and has already been named Man of the Match four times.
It’s no surprise that the Frenchman is also a candidate for the Ballon d’Or. Looking ahead to the coming years, Olise certainly seems unstoppable on his way to becoming the best soccer player in the world.
This presents Bayern Munich with a clear task. Olise has a contract through 2029 with no buyout clause. Therefore, there is no immediate pressure to act. Nevertheless, there is no more important long-term project than securing the attacking star’s commitment to the club for even longer.
Players of this caliber inevitably attract interest from Europe’s biggest clubs. With Harry Kane, Bayern may already have the next Ballon d’Or winner in their ranks.
And in Michael Olise, they have the player who represents the future—the club’s leadership should do everything in their power to ensure that this remains the case for as long as possible.
2. Bayern’s second string is really turning up the heat
There was a lot of discussion this summer about whether FC Bayern’s roster was deep enough for a long season. At the moment, however, the best-case scenario is playing out for the deliberately compact squad: Nearly all the players are healthy.
Against Union, only Konrad Laimer was a last-minute absence due to minor adductor issues. This gave Kompany plenty of options on the bench—and his substitutes made the most of their chances in impressive fashion.
Ismael Saibari came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute and, seven minutes later, scored his first competitive goal for FC Bayern after a strong dribble. Tom Bischof came on at the same time and went on to set up two goals by Olise. Minjae Kim slotted right into the lineup after halftime, and Serge Gnabry made his comeback after a long injury layoff.
What was particularly noteworthy was that the substitutions didn’t disrupt Bayern’s flow. When Saibari and Bischof entered the game, the score was already 4–0. The Munich side then added three more goals.
This also highlights what will be crucial for Kompany. The Bayern coach doesn’t have to constantly rotate half his team to spread the workload. In a well-functioning team, he can strategically bring in fresh legs without sacrificing much quality.
It remains to be seen whether the relatively small roster can withstand the peaks of exertion throughout a long season. As long as the team remains largely healthy, however, competition is developing behind the starting eleven, offering Kompany many options.
3. Bayern’s magical triangle is taking shape
Olise was the standout player against Union, but two other Bayern stars also put in stellar performances. Musiala, Olise, and Kane all received a grade of 1 in the FCBinside individual player ratings —and it is precisely this trio that could shape Munich’s offense in the coming months.
Kane scored his 100th and 101st Bundesliga goals. The 33-year-old needed just 98 games to reach his first 100 goals, setting yet another record. The fact that the Englishman is far more than a classic penalty-area striker makes his interplay with the two technically gifted offensive players beside and behind him particularly dangerous.
Even more important for Bayern’s dynamics is Musiala’s return. Against Union, the 23-year-old scored the 1–0 goal, set up Olise’s goal to make it 3–0, and played the full 90 minutes for the first time since his break. Another goal was disallowed due to a prior offside.
“I feel really good. Every game is a step forward. I know there are still steps I can take, but playing 90 minutes again is a great feeling. I haven’t done that in a long time, and I’m looking forward to what’s next,” Musiala explained to Sky after the match.
With his return, Bayern’s offense takes on a new dimension. Musiala and Olise can repeatedly break away from their positions, cut into the center, take shots themselves, or deliver the final pass. Kane can drop deep and open up space for both of them. Against Union, fans got their first extended glimpse of the impact this trio’s chemistry can have.
In this nearly perfect offense, there’s really only one cause for concern at the moment. Luis Díaz remained lackluster against Union as well and couldn’t keep pace with his three teammates. While Olise, Musiala, and Kane shone, the Colombian continues to search for his top form.
For Díaz, the break may therefore come at just the right time. Unlike many of his teammates, he isn’t traveling to join his national team, giving him time to recharge.
If Díaz can then return to his best form, Bayern’s “magic triangle” could quickly become a quartet feared throughout Europe.