Die Folgen: Bayern’s 4-1 win over VfL Osnabrück (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich hit the road for some DFB-Pokal action and easily took care of business by dropping VfL Osnabrück 4-1 in a game that left some fans exasperated and others, well, bored.
All-in-all, it is too early in the campaign to start worrying about a 4-1 win, though.
The Bavarians did not go into a heavy rotation, which spelled doom for the home team, who was game, but not necessarily able to keep up with Bayern Munich for the entire 90 minutes. Let’s get it started and dive into the details from this decisive victory:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
Our starting XI for tonight! Let’s get it boys 👊 pic.twitter.com/nucAQlCLoi
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) September 2, 2026
- There were no major surprises. Kim Min-jae over Dayot Upamecano, Josip Stanišić over Konrad Laimer, and Nathaniel Brown over Alphonso Davies were not wholly unexpected. It was good to see Tom Bischof get a start over Aleksandar Pavlović, and the former Hoffenheim star took advantage of it.
- In a wild start that had to have Bayern Munich thinking that it might might cursed, some lax defending from Jonathan Tah and Kim, combined with a slip by Tah, some over aggressive positioning from Jonas Urbig, and an absolute banger from Robin Meißner, gave VfL Osnabrück a 1-0 lead in the 5th minute. Crazy, crazy stuff.
- Despite that absurdity, Bayern Munich was undeterred and was dominating play. Admittedly, though, the home squad was making it very difficult for the Bavarians to find a way through.
- The atmosphere and energy from the home crowd was off the charts…and they had this awesome tifo, too:
- Ismael Saibari had a tough go of it early on. He looked like he was having trouble fitting in to the attack, and although he showed nice aggression and good ideas, he did have trouble executing on those ideas.
- In the 18th minute, Bayern Munich would finally make its way through the VfL Osnabrück defense, when Harry Kane smashed home a failed clearance for a volley goal. Joshua Kimmich chipped in a ball to Kane, who was making a straight run, but the VfL Osnabrück defender was only able to head the ball straight up in the air. Kane ate it up to make it 1-1.
- Just five minutes later, Michael Olise threaded a beautiful pass to Luis Díaz, whose attempt was saved. Unfortunately for VfL Osnabrück, Bischof was there to put it home and make it 2-1.
- Bischof was a menace for VfL Osnabrück to deal with. The youngster’s work rate is off the charts.
- Tah and Kim need some work playing together. It was a bit chaotic on the backline.
- On the outside, it was a very quiet first half for Brown offensively. Defensively, he was solid. The flow of the game did not favor him in the attack. That would continue through his appearance, until Davies checked in for him.
- The battle at left-back between Brown and Davies seems to be favoring Brown at the moment. This will be the most fascinating positional battle of the season. It would be hard to argue that either player made significant strides during the match.
- VfL Osnabrück goalkeeper Jonas Krumrey denied Olise right before halftime with a terrific save.
- Tah was very rusty and not moving all that well. Should we be concerned? Not yet, but he had some trouble going side-to-side as well.
- Give VfL Osnabrück credit. The players fought like hell, and were not making anything easy for Bayern Munich. They were tough (for real!).
- Brown and Saibari would give way to Davies and Lennart Karl in the 62nd minute. Not much changed, though.
- Olise, who slid into a central role as the attacking midfielder when Saibari exited, scored a nice goal in the 73rd minute. In a game with VAR, though, it would have likely been waved off, as Olise’s elbow played a part in his ability to control the ball.
- Olise’s tally effectively ended the game, and also the bit of malaise that was causing Bayern Munich to drag some serious a$$ in the second half.
- In the 84th minute, Bayern Munich was awarded a penalty when Pavlović was taken down in the box. Kane calmly deposited the PK attempt and made it 4-1. There was never a doubt.
- The game was a bit slow and anti-climactic in the second half, but this did have the potential to be a match where some tired legs and the early season insertion of an English Week would leave Bayern Munich looking out of sync. Of course, that is what happened in the second half.
- Overall, this will not go down in the annals of impressive victories for Bayern Munich, but the season is young and the team is still feeling out how to play together. Things will be more pleasing to the eye soon enough. For now, enjoy the victory and look forward to the weekend tilt vs. Schalke 04.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Bringing the Vardy Party to Wrexham? (ESPN)
Wrexham is reportedly toying with the idea of bringing in Bundesliga broadcast rights holder and former Leicester City star Jamie Vardy:
Wrexham have made an approach to sign former Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, according to TalkSPORT. The 39-year-old is a free agent after leaving Cremonese and has attracted interest from several clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United and Brazilian giants São Paulo. Vardy is not expected to make a decision on his future immediately, with the striker able to sign for a new club after the transfer deadline.
Bayern, Real, PSG monitoring City’s Cherki (CaughtOffside)
In a bit of odd news, Bayern Munich has been grouped with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain as being interested in Manchester City attacker Rayan Cherki:
Rayan Cherki’s outstanding start to the 2026-27 season is attracting attention across Europe, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich all monitoring the Manchester City playmaker ahead of the January transfer window.
Sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside that Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich are all keeping tabs on Cherki ahead of January 2027. Madrid see the France international as another creative option capable of playing between midfield and attack, while PSG are attracted by the possibility of bringing one of France’s leading talents back to Ligue 1.
Bayern, meanwhile, are assessing Cherki as part of their long-term search for creative attacking quality. The source values Cherki at around €90m, although no formal bids have been submitted. Man City are in a very strong position contractually.
Cherki is an intriguing talent, no doubt. The 23-year-old is extremely versatile with his ability to play anywhere across the front line and was on Bayern Munich’s radar prior to his Manchester City move. However, €90 million would be a lot to pay for Bayern Munich, especially in January.
Bailey to Saudi Arabia? Eh, maybe not (ESPN)
It looked like former Bayer Leverkusen attacker Leon Bailey could be headed to Saudi Arabia:
Two Saudi Pro League clubs remain keen on signing Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey, as per The Athletic. Al Ittihad and Al Diriyah are both exploring the parameters of a future deal, as SPL sides have until Sept. 6 to register new players. Villa are keen to move Bailey on, who spent last season on loan at Roma, where he made only seven appearances in Serie A. His current contract expires in June 2027.
However, transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano checked in with news that Bailey had actually decided to play in Greece:
🚨🔴⚪️ EXCLUSIVE: Olympiacos reach verbal agreement for surprise deal to sign Leon Bailey, here we go!
Permanent move from Aston Villa and contract until June 2029. Green light to proceed from #AVFC.
Bailey, on his way to Athens now for medical tests.
Everton whiffed on late approach for Zirkzee (ESPN)
Everton took a serious run at former Bayern Munich striker Joshua Zirkzee, but ultimately struck out:
Everton failed in a late bid for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee on deadline day. The approach was made as Everton’s move for USMNT striker Balogun collapsed in the final hours of the window. Sources have told ESPN that the offer for Zirkzee was for a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent.
Zirkzee continues to garner interest on the market as clubs continue to think they are the entity that can unlock his greatest potential. Good luck…
Silva rejected offers from Türkiye (Transfer journalist Rudy Galetti)
Fábio Silva had several offers to move to Türkiye, but opted to stay at Borussia Dortmund:
🚨‼️ Fábio Silva has chosen to stay in Germany and at Dortmund.
The Portuguese striker turned down opportunities to leave for clubs from the Big Five leagues and Turkey, opting to continue his career at BVB.
Dortmund’s structure also values him highly and didn’t want to see him leave.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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