Manuel Neuer
Was able to scroll back a few years in his Champions League diary before the game and remember an October evening in 2013 when FC Bayern defeated Viktoria Pilsen 5-0. Back then, he was still allowed to tell Diego Contento where to run, to congratulate Mario Götze on his goal and in between to talk shop with Pep Guardiola. He didn’t have to save balls and while the line-up has changed over the past nine years, one constant is that Neuer was able to leaf through his diary peacefully on Tuesday while keeping goal.
Noussair Mazraoui
Now beginning to share a desk with Benjamin Pavard on the right, as is intended in the modern workplace. However, it was so rarely tested by Pilsen’s outside players that it is difficult to say whether he will soon be allowed to start in the important games – where Pavard has been preferred so far.
Dayot Upamecano
Could have stood next to Neuer in goal for much of the game to hear stories from the past. Had so little to do that he was visibly happy about every opportunity to demonstrate his new parade discipline “long interface passes”. Did that with flying colors and was then allowed to leave a few minutes earlier in order to rest for the Dortmund game on Saturday.
Matthijs de Ligt
Actually spent a similarly relaxed evening as his neighbor in Bayern central defence, but had to put up with the fact that Czech striker Tomáš Chory decided midway through the first half to vent his frustration at the early 0:3 on the largely innocent de Ligt of all places. But also coped well with the kick to the chest and defended safely and solidly.
Alphonso Davies
In the first half he sprinted so happily from back to front and from front to back, as if Julian Nagelsmann had told him before the game that he would only have 45 minutes to complete his phase-out program. Was substituted at half-time for reasons of rest, but before that he did something unique: once took the ball from a Pilsener in the Bayern penalty area, which is actually one of his core competencies as a defender, but was almost a sensational report that evening.
Ryan Gravenberch
Made his starting eleven debut against Viktoria Köln in the cup and therefore completed the so-called Viktoria double on Tuesday by also playing against Pilsen from the start. Played carefully, complemented well with Leon Goretzka, who was allowed to play the more offensive part and did a lot of things right on an evening when you couldn’t do much wrong. Will probably not be in the starting eleven against Dortmund, but can have legitimate hopes of the Viktoria triple in the coming week.
Leon Goretzka
Described by Nagelsmann before the game as a player “who can lead”. Did this from his central midfield position in the well-known style: FC Bayern led from the seventh minute, Goretzka from the first. Physically robust and always with the urge to get into the penalty area, in other words in the role that he will soon be playing alongside Joshua Kimmich again. Captured numerous balls from Pilsen players and also led by acting as a busboy for Serge Gnabry and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, sending goals to both of them and creating a good atmosphere.
Jamal Musiala
A 5-0 win on Matchday 3 of the Champions League is usually an excellent opportunity for talented 19-year-olds to gain experience with the big players and find their feet in ‘real football’. Musiala, however, has about as much to do with mean 19-year-olds as a Pilsener beer with an Oktoberfest beer, which is why he dictated Bayern’s game on offense for half a period and then sat on the bench to prepare for the top game on Saturday weekend to relax. Just like a big guy does.
Leroy Sane
Forms a duo with Musiala who not only agree on the shoe color, but also in almost every other issue on the pitch. Played a one-two with his co-pilot in the seventh minute and then found as much space between stray Pilsners as if he were in the English Garden and not in the arena. Used his place for a little run towards goal and a wonderful finish that started the clear victory. In the 50th minute, in the absence of Jamal Musiala, converted a pass from Sadio Mané to make it 4-0.
Sadio Mane
Initiated Bayern’s victory in the first minute with a so-called mentality slide, which he used to give a shocked Pilsen full-back named Libor Holik a foretaste of his working day. As always, Mané received a lot of support from the spectators (frantic cheers for the tackle and an attempt at a selfie by a streaker) and at some point the Czech defenders also decided that they wanted to help the Munich attack in their search for form. For example, when they worked together to give him a 3-0 lead in the 21st minute.
Serge Gnabry
Knows about nice places and therefore of course knows where to run to in the Fröttmaninger Arena if you want to score a goal. Across Leon Goretzka’s path, if he’s looking for a pass in the penalty area, it was a good idea before the 2-0, Gnabry’s first goal of this Champions League season. Was so happy afterwards that he looked for one of the most comfortable places: Goretzka’s broad shoulders, on which one can obviously cheer outstandingly.
substitute
Josip Stanisic came on for Alphonso Davies at halftime and made his best game of the season, which certainly had something to do with a very weak and already beaten opponent. However, also with the fact that he had a lot of offensive confidence.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (pictured) hasn’t had it easy so far this season, with injuries and awkward games where he came on briefly in the closing stages and then failed to emerge victorious at a worrying rate. Pilsen was therefore the perfect opponent, because Choupo-Moting had it extremely easy, scored 5-0 after a perfect pass by Goretzka and went home as one of the winners of the game – especially in terms of self-confidence.
Mathy’s phone came on the field for Sané and played the role outlined above as a 17-year-old, in which he enjoys every minute he gets to play with the big ones. Benjamin Pavard was allowed to try his hand at central defense for a few minutes, Marcel Sabitzer replaced Goretzka, there was no sign of a lack of leadership at FC Bayern under his direction.