Bayern Munich beat VfL Osnabrück 4-1 to complete DFB-Pokal first round
Harry Kane scored twice as defending champions Bayern Munich recovered from an early deficit to defeat second-tier VfL Osnabrück 4-1 at the Bremer Brücke, sending all 18 Bundesliga clubs into the second round.
Early shock at the Bremer Brücke
The final fixture of the DFB-Pokal first round took place before a sold-out crowd of 15,741 spectators at the Stadion an der Bremer Brücke. Osnabrück supporters unveiled a large choreographic display across the stands prior to kickoff. Second-division side VfL Osnabrück took the lead in the fifth minute when striker Robin Meißner won a duel against Jonathan Tah and struck a shot from 30 metres into the top right corner. Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, starting in place of Manuel Neuer, could not reach the ball. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius watched from the stands as the home supporters celebrated the opening goal.
- Robin Meißner scores from 30 metres to give VfL Osnabrück a 1-0 lead
- Harry Kane equalizes for Bayern Munich from close range
- Tom Bischof taps in a rebound to put Bayern Munich ahead 2-1
- Michael Olise chips Jonas Krumrey to extend Bayern's lead to 3-1
- Harry Kane converts a penalty to seal a 4-1 victory for Bayern Munich
First-half turnaround
Bayern Munich responded 13 minutes later through Harry Kane, who converted from close range in the 18th minute after a chipped pass from Joshua Kimmich led to a defensive mistake by Robin Fabinski. Six minutes after the equalizer, Tom Bischof gave the visitors the lead in the 24th minute by tapping in a rebound after Osnabrück lost possession through Ismail Badjie and goalkeeper Jonas Krumrey parried a strike from Luis Díaz. Osnabrück coach Timo Schultz had named the same starting lineup that recently earned a 1-0 league win at Bochum. The home team defended with discipline to keep the deficit to one goal at halftime.
Bayern goalkeeper Urbig described the team's reaction to the early conceded goal after the match.
It was clear to us that this would be a tough test, but after falling behind we kept going.
Second-half control and late goals
Vincent Kompany's side dominated possession after the break, though Osnabrück goalkeeper Krumrey stopped scoring attempts from Michael Olise in the 52nd minute and Ismael Saibari in the 59th minute. Kane sent another shot wide in the 61st minute before Bayern secured a decisive two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute. Lennart Karl capitalized on an errant pass from Osnabrück captain Jannik Müller and found Olise, who chipped the ball over Krumrey. In the 86th minute, Kane scored his second goal of the evening from the penalty spot after Müller fouled Aleksandar Pavlović inside the box.
Tournament progression and squad updates
The 4-1 victory sealed Bayern Munich's spot in the second round, marking the first time since 2008 that all 18 Bundesliga clubs have advanced through the opening stage of the DFB-Pokal. The draw for the second round takes place on Saturday, 5 September at 17:45 at the German Football Museum in Dortmund, with matches scheduled for late October. Osnabrück contested the tie without their three deadline-day loan signings, Elias Bakatukanda, Leon Flach, and Jonathan Gomez. For Bayern, 23-year-old midfielder Jamal Musiala remained out of the squad following two on-pitch collapses caused by a neurological condition requiring adjusted medication.
Kompany also left Musiala's status uncertain for the upcoming Bundesliga trip to FC Schalke 04 while speaking to Sky before the match.
He is doing well, he is doing better. If it continues like this, it won't take much longer. That is of course what we hope.
