With the biggest win under coach Thomas Tuchel, FC Bayern are on course for the next title win in their impressive championship series. Led by starting eleven returnee Thomas Müller and strong double goal scorer Serge Gnabry, the Munich team celebrated a relaxed 6-0 (2-0) gala against relegation-threatened FC Schalke 04 on Saturday. With two matchdays remaining, the Munich team are vehemently striving for the eleventh German football championship in a row.
Müller scored his first goal since Tuchel's 4-2 win against rivals Borussia Dortmund in Munich six weeks ago in the 21st minute. Joshua Kimmich with his first penalty and the 25th goal overall in the Bundesliga (29th) and Serge Gnabry with a double goal (50th/65th) favored by opponent Maya Yoshida took advantage of the weaknesses of the Schalke defense for further goals. Then substitute Mathys Tel (80') and Noussair Mazraoui struck in injury time with his first goal in a Bayern shirt.
Shortly before BVB's home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach, 75,000 spectators in the sold-out arena witnessed FC Bayern attacking with more pace and better structure against an overwhelmed opponent. The Munich team consolidated their lead in the table ahead of BVB. The offensively almost non-existent Schalke slipped to the relegation rank.
"Müller had to play"
Bosses Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic applauded each other contentedly in the grandstand as Müller shone as a goalscorer after his latest reserve role. Müller's pass came via detours to Leroy Sané, who unselfishly played for Müller again. He finished with a placed shot into the corner of the goal.
Tuchel rejoiced on the sidelines that his two new stars, who had been promoted to the first eleven, had shown themselves to be responsible for the lead. When asked why he relied on Müller from the start after joker appearances, the 49-year-old joked in the Sky interview before kick-off. "The pressure from you became so great that he had to play." He then seriously justified the inclusion with the fact that he wanted to play "a bit more offensively" with an appearance by Müller and Jamal Musiala side by side.
It was a perfect fit for Tuchel that Musiala made it 2-0. The 20-year-old fell in the hustle and bustle of the Schalke penalty area against Cedric Brunner. After studying the video images, referee Robert Schröder decided on a penalty kick. Kimmich converted safely against Schalke's goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow.
All in all, however, the keeper initially prevented even worse against the dominant Munich team. His injured Munich goalkeeper colleague Manuel Neuer, who took further steps towards a comeback after a serious broken leg on the training ground this week, had just returned to his grandstand seat when he was able to celebrate the 3-0 through Gnabry after the break.
The Germany international scored in his third game in a row and is emblematic of Munich's recent rise in form. "He's worked hard for it," Tuchel praised the striker, who has scored four times in the last three games. Müller was unable to further fuel the anticipation of the championship party planned for 28 May on the balcony of the town hall with a second goal (63rd). Gnabry, who punished another mistake by Yoshida with his 13th goal of the season, as well as Joker Tel and Mazraoui, managed to do so.