Musiala strike leads Bayern to win at St. Pauli in Bundesliga

Jamal Musiala’s brilliant strike earned Bayern Munich a 1-0 victory at St. Pauli on Saturday to keep his side top of the table.

Bayern were looking to keep their unbeaten league form going under manager Vincent Kompany, who gave Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sane their first league starts of the season.

The home team, hoping to move away from the bottom three, were compact in defence and it took something special to open them up, as Musiala struck a fierce shot from distance that gave Bayern the lead on 22 minutes.

In the second half, Bayern went close early on with a Harry Kane header, but the former Tottenham man could not send his effort on target.

Bayern remain top after the win, but an underwhelming performance could cause concerns if RB Leipzig continue to keep up the chase in the Bundesliga.

Musiala was the difference, but even the normally incisive young forward struggled on Saturday.

Perhaps the midweek UEFA Champions League exploits against Benfica had worn down the team, and that might explain why Sane and Goretzka featured, but there was nothing stand-out from first-team regulars.

Kane missed a late chance, as did Musiala. With the winter break still a month away, Kompany needs to reinvigorate his side.

Nikola Vasilj might have done better given the ball crept past him on the inside, rather than beyond his dive, but Musiala’s fierce strike was the only exciting moment of the match. It was enough to earn three points when the rest of his team-mates struggled.

St. Pauli: Vasilj 5, Saliakas 5, Mets 6, Wahl 5, Irvine 5, Smith 5, Eggestein 5, Boukhalfa 5, Afolayan 5, Ritzka 5, Guilavogui 5. Subs: Sinani 6, Albers 6, Dzwigala 46, Wagner 6.

Bayern Munich: Neuer 6, Davies 5, Upamecano 6, Minjae 5, Guerreiro 5, Kimmich 5, Goretzka 6, Sane 6, Coman 5, Musiala 7, Kane 6. Subs: Gnabry 6, Palhinha 6, Olise 6, Muller 6, Laimer 6.

14’ – MUSIALA CHANCE – A whipped shot at goal from the edge of the box catches a defender, but the ‘keeper gets down swiftly to save.

22’ – GOAL! ST PAULI 0-1 BAYERN MUNICH – MUSIALA SCORES – The forward looks up 25 yards out, and launches a fierce strike that creeps in under the bar, deceiving the ‘keeper on the way.

29’ – METS CHANCE – The defender hooks a volley towards goal but it is awkwardly bouncing, and loops over.

79’ – SANE EFFORT – The winger brings a smart stop from the ‘keeper as he bends a low, bouncing shot to the far corner.

86’ – MUSIALA MISS – Clean through on goal after a Kane through-ball, and he blasts over the bar!

90’ – KANE CHANCE – The ball is sent in his direction in the box and he prods a low shot at the ‘keeper. His best chance of the match goes begging.

Bayern Munich scored just one goal from 76% possession.