Coming up against a side struggling for Bundesliga form in FC Heidenheim, most would’ve predicted a dominant Bayern Munich victory in the Matchday 13 clash between these two sides. Despite a near comeback from Heidenheim, Bayern captured all three points and looked full value for it, maintaining a whopping 82% of the ball (FotMob).
Jersey Swap: Mathias Honsak
Most of Heidenheim’s players did mostly nothing for most of the match. Bayern dominated in almost every metric, which included calamitous errors leading to a goal. Mathias Honsak worked hard in chasing down the few balls that came his way during the match, requiring an impressive defensive double effort from Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae to stop a run in the first half. Honsak was fortunate enough to be the recipient of a Dayot Upamecano own-assist, slotting home Heidenheim’s first goal past a helpless Daniel Peretz to level the match at one apiece.
Der Kaiser: Kim Min-jae
Two goals conceded wouldn’t signal a strong defensive performance, but Bayern’s defense was generally solid against Heidenheim. Kim did well to stop numerous Heidenheim attacks before they could even begin, frequently winning the ball high up the pitch. Racking up a match-high 11 recoveries and maintaining a 97% passing accuracy rate, 18 of which were into the final third, and five of which were completed long-balls, Kim was exemplary in both the attacking and defensive sides of the game (FotMob).
Fußballgott: Joshua Kimmich
Has Joshua Kimmich ever had a bad performance? It certainly doesn’t seem like it. Kimmich put in an industrious shift at the heart of Bayern’s midfield, not having been dribbled past a single time, completing 93% of his passes, and having the second most defensive actions of any Bayern player on the pitch at 4 (FotMob). On top of an impressive statistical performance, Kimmich whipped in an excellent corner to find the head of Upamecano for Bayern’s first goal, and midway through the second half played an inch-perfect ball over the top that landed at the feet of Michael Olise. What a player.
Der Bomber: Michael Olise
Olise left the match in the 71st minute without a goal and probably should’ve scored off the back of what easily could’ve been a second Kimmich assist in the 62nd minute, but was fantastic regardless. Bayern’s signing of the season so far was quick off the mark, setting up two chances for Leroy Sané early in the first half, and was a constant thorn in the side of the Heidenheim defense, completing five of his six attempted dribbles. It was more of the same after the break, as the Frenchman did well to move the ball through the Heidenheim players and assist a Jamal Musiala goal. Achieving 0.85 xGOT (expected goals based on his shots on target) compared to a lesser 0.66 xG (expected goals), and accumulating 0.64 expected assists, Olise was unfortunate to come away with only one goal contribution (FotMob).
Meister of the Match: Jamal Musiala
Attacking midfielder? Check. Winger? Absolutely. Box-to-box midfielder? Also yes. Striker too? Sure, why not? We’re missing Harry Kane, and because of Jamal Musiala, it doesn’t seem to matter. Musiala didn’t even play a full 45 minutes, coming on for Thomas Müller in the 51st minute with the score level. Luckily, Musiala doesn’t even need a full half to win the game. Bambi scored only minutes after his introduction to the game and added a second to his tally in the 91st minute to quell any worries of a Heidenheim comeback. A world-class player at the top of his game, there is no stopping Jamal Musiala.
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