Bayern Munich beat Osnabrück 4-1 to complete perfect Bundesliga round in DFB-Pokal

Bayern Munich Survive Early Scare to Advance Past Osnabrück in DFB-Pokal

Defending champions Bayern Munich secured their place in the DFB-Pokal second round with a 4:1 victory over second-tier side VfL Osnabrück, completing a perfect opening round for Germany's top flight.

The Rekord-Pokalsieger became the last club to claim their ticket to the next stage, marking the first time in 18 years that all 18 Bundesliga teams successfully navigated the tournament's first hurdle.

Stunning Long-Range Strike Opens Scoring

Playing before 15,741 spectators in Osnabrück's sold-out Stadion an der Bremer Brücke, the hosts delivered a shock in the fifth minute when Robin Meißner hammered home a spectacular goal from 30 metres that left Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig helpless. The strike sent the small arena into near-explosive celebration.

"Ein absolutes Traumtor," Osnabrück coach Timo Schultz praised. Even Urbig acknowledged the quality: "Der knallt das Ding in den Winkel. Wahnsinn," the Bayern keeper said.

Clinical Response Restores Order

The Munich giants responded with clinical efficiency. Harry Kane capitalised on an Osnabrück defensive error to equalise in the 18th minute, before Tom Bischof put Bayern ahead in the 24th to restore the expected hierarchy. Michael Olise added a third in the 73rd minute, and Kane sealed the victory from the penalty spot in the 86th.

"Es war kein leichter Abend. Der Schlüssel für den Erfolg war unsere Disziplin," Kane told ARD.

Bayern goalkeeper Urbig emphasised the challenging nature of the assignment: "Wir haben bis zum Ende Gas geben. Vor dem Spiel war uns schon klar, dass es ein schwieriger Test wird. Deshalb freuen wir uns einfach, dass wir gewonnen haben," he told Sky.

Musiala Absence Continues

Jamal Musiala remained absent from the squad as he continues his recovery from a neurological condition that forced two on-field collapses within a short period. The 23-year-old has required medication adjustments, though coach Vincent Kompany expressed satisfaction with his progress.

"Ich möchte dem Jungen nicht mehr Druck machen, als er jetzt schon hat," Kompany told Sky before the match, leaving the door open for a possible return in the weekend's Bundesliga fixture against promoted FC Schalke 04. "Es geht ihm gut, es geht ihm besser. Wenn es so weiterläuft, wird es nicht mehr lange dauern. Das hoffen wir natürlich," the coach added.

Despite his team's heavy favourites status, Kompany fielded a strong starting XI featuring Kane, Joshua Kimmich, Luis Diaz and Olise.

Osnabrück's Resolute Display

The second-tier promoted side demonstrated the defensive discipline that underpinned their ascent from the third division, holding firm even as Federal Defence Minister and VfL supporter Boris Pistorius (SPD) watched from the stands. The hosts' courageous defending kept the contest open until half-time and beyond.

Bayern controlled proceedings without overexerting themselves, doing only what was necessary to manage the tie. The draw for the second round takes place at the Deutsches Fußballmuseum in Dortmund from 17.45 Uhr.

Osnabrück's pre-match gesture also drew attention, as the club chalked a large peace symbol into the centre circle, a solidarity display with Ukraine that the self-styled Friedensstadt has maintained consistently since 2022, even as similar actions disappeared from other German stadiums.