Bayern Munich failed to score in a competitive match for the first time in 59 games, as newly promoted Schalke held the reigning Bundesliga champions to a goalless draw in Gelsenkirchen. This result marks the first time in over 18 months that Bayern has not scored in a Bundesliga fixture, with their previous goalless draw occurring on February 15, 2025, against Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern manager Vincent Kompany opted to rotate his squad for the match, with key players Harry Kane and Michael Olise starting on the bench. This decision followed Bayern’s strong start to the season, which included a 5-1 victory against VfB Stuttgart in the league and a 4-1 win over Osnabruck in the DFB Pokal.
Bayern’s Offensive Struggles
Despite dominating possession, Bayern struggled to convert their chances. Luis Diaz had two significant one-on-one opportunities, one in each half. His first attempt went wide, and his second, a chip over the goalkeeper, was cleared before reaching the goal line.
Kane was introduced at halftime, and the pressure on Schalke’s defense intensified further with the introductions of Olise and Jamal Musiala with 35 minutes remaining. Musiala was making his first squad appearance of the season after experiencing seizures during pre-season matches.
Bayern continued to press, with Konrad Laimer hitting the side netting from close range. Kane also forced a fingertip save from Schalke goalkeeper Loris Karius with a late shot aimed for the top corner. However, Schalke’s compact and disciplined defense held firm, securing their first point of the season.
Karius Shines for Schalke
Former Liverpool and Newcastle United goalkeeper Loris Karius was a standout performer for Schalke. Karius, who joined Schalke in January 2025, made three crucial saves and was named man of the match. Bayern’s goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, praised Karius’s performance, stating, “Loris Karius was very good, and definitely the right choice for man of the match. We had three big chances that he kept out.”
Kompany acknowledged Schalke’s effort after the match, saying, “First of all, congratulations to Schalke. The guys fought.” He also reflected on his team’s missed opportunities: “We had our moments and big chances. We had two or three one-v-ones with the goalkeeper. When you play against a compact, aggressive team that does things well, you need to score your goals in those moments.”
Kompany expressed that his team “wasted” too many minutes in the game, emphasizing the need for tempo on the ball and more pressure on goal. He concluded that while Bayern had chances, Schalke deserved their point.
Impact on League Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
This goalless draw means Bayern will not finish at the top of the Bundesliga table for the first time in 67 matchdays, a period spanning almost two years. Harry Kane, who has now scored against 20 out of 21 teams he has faced in the Bundesliga, made his 96th appearance in the competition and needs two more goals to reach 100.
Bayern’s attention now turns to their upcoming fixtures. They are set to host Bodo/Glimt in their opening Champions League game on Thursday before traveling to face Bundesliga newcomers Elversberg on September 13.
Source: bbc.co.uk
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