Bayern Munich's Win Without Musiala: Kompany's Cautious Approach

OSNABRÜCK, Germany — Bayern Munich are rolling. Jamal Musiala is not. Not yet.

Vincent Kompany walked off a wet German Cup night with a 4-1 win, two more goals for Harry Kane and one big question still hanging over his squad: when does his most gifted young midfielder come back?

Kompany refuses to rush Musiala

Musiala stayed in Munich as Bayern swept past second-tier Osnabrück on Wednesday, still sidelined after collapsing twice in preseason because of a neurological issue. The 21-year-old has since revealed he is dealing with treatable absence seizures, which led to two alarming moments in August friendlies — first against RB Leipzig, then again four days later on Aug. 18.

He has yet to play a competitive minute under Kompany.

The Bayern coach, though, made it clear he will not gamble with Musiala’s health for the sake of an early-season boost.

Musiala, Kompany said, “might” be available for Saturday’s Bundesliga trip to promoted Schalke. Then he immediately pulled back from the idea.

“I don't want to put any more pressure on the guy,” Kompany stressed after the win in Osnabrück.

The message was obvious: Bayern can wait. Musiala’s wellbeing comes first.

Kane leads ruthless Bayern response

On the pitch, Bayern had to absorb an early punch.

Robin Meissner stunned the away end with a thunderbolt from around 30 meters, the Osnabrück forward ripping a shot into the top right corner that even Bayern’s players had to admire. Kane and goalkeeper Jonas Urbig both congratulated him on the strike — a small nod to a big moment for the second-tier side.

The goal lit up the stadium. It also woke Bayern up.

Kane equalised soon after, settling any nerves and reasserting the hierarchy. Tom Bischof then turned the scoreline Bayern’s way in the 24th minute, and from there the defending cup holders took control.

Kompany resisted the temptation to heavily rotate. He sent out a serious front line: Kane flanked by Luis Díaz and Michael Olise, with new signing Ismael Saibari handed his first start since arriving from PSV Eindhoven.

Bayern’s quality eventually stretched Osnabrück to breaking point.

“We kept finding the spaces and the chances eventually became bigger as well,” Kompany said. “We were battling their compactness in the first half; in the second they tried to press us, which also gave us opportunities.

“At the end of the day, it's a 4-1 win away in the cup. You can't get much better than that against a compact, defensively strong team, who have built their success on just that. To win a match like this 4-1 away from home is not easy.”

Olise finally killed off the tie in the 73rd minute, steering in Bayern’s third. Kane then added his second from the penalty spot to close out a professional, quietly ruthless performance.

“Games like this are never easy”

Kane, who has started the season in familiar, relentless fashion, underlined how demanding these early cup ties can be.

“I think it was a good performance. Games likes this are never easy,” he said. “We played away from home against a good side and the atmosphere the fans created was really impressive.

“In games like this you have to be disciplined and mentally switched on — especially when the opponents start with such an outrageous goal.”

Bayern’s discipline is showing in the results. Kompany’s reign has opened with a 2-1 win over Dortmund in the Super Cup, a 5-1 dismantling of Stuttgart in the Bundesliga and now a 4-1 cup victory on the road.

The attack is firing. The system is bedding in. The holders are safely into the second round.

What they still lack is the glide and improvisation that Musiala brings between the lines. If he is close, as Kompany hinted, the next big decision is not tactical, but medical and personal: when is the right moment to unleash him again?