Bayern Munich Advances in German Cup Despite Musiala's Absence
OSNABRÜCK, Germany — Bayern Munich marched into the second round of the German Cup with a 4-1 win at Osnabrück on Wednesday night, but the loudest undertone to the evening was about a player who never stepped onto the pitch.
Kompany refuses to rush Musiala
Vincent Kompany confirmed Jamal Musiala is edging closer to a return, yet the Bayern coach drew a clear line over how that comeback will be handled.
Musiala was left out of the squad again and has not featured under Kompany since collapsing twice in four days during preseason because of a neurological issue. The Germany international later revealed he is dealing with treatable absence seizures, a diagnosis that has shifted the conversation from simple match fitness to long-term health.
He first collapsed during a friendly on Aug. 18, just three days after a similar incident in a preseason game against RB Leipzig. Since then, Bayern have moved carefully, and Kompany made it clear that won’t change.
Musiala, he said, “might” be available for Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with promoted Schalke. Then came the important caveat: Kompany does not want to put “any more pressure on the guy.” The message was as much for the outside world as it was for his own dressing room — Bayern can wait for their prodigy.
Kane leads the way after Osnabrück stunner
On the night, Bayern’s stars took care of business.
Defending champions Bayern did not treat their second-tier hosts lightly. Kompany resisted the temptation to rotate heavily, starting Harry Kane, Luis Díaz and Michael Olise together, with new signing Ismael Saibari handed his first start since joining from PSV Eindhoven.
Osnabrück, though, landed the first blow.
Robin Meissner stunned the visitors with a spectacular opener, unleashing a strike from around 30 meters that flew into the top right corner. It was the kind of goal that momentarily cuts through hierarchy and budget, a hit so clean that even Bayern players had to acknowledge it. Kane and goalkeeper Jonas Urbig both congratulated Meissner for the effort.
The shock didn’t last long.
Kane equalised soon after, restoring order and rhythm to Bayern’s play. The pressure built, the spaces widened, and by the 24th minute Tom Bischof had turned the game on its head, making it 2-1. From there, Bayern controlled the tempo, probing and recycling the ball against a side determined to stay compact.
“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.”
The scoreline, though, refused to run away until late.
Olise and Kane finish the job
Osnabrück hung in, backed by a loud home crowd that treated every counterattack like a cup final. Bayern had to stay sharp, and Kane knew it.
“I think it was a good performance. Games like 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.”
The discipline eventually told.
In the 73rd minute, Olise finally gave Bayern breathing space, making it 3-1 and effectively killing the contest. Kane then stepped up to the penalty spot to add his second of the night and Bayern’s fourth, sealing a professional, controlled win that looked far more comfortable on the scoreboard than it had felt in the opening stages.
“At the end of the day, it’s a 4-1 win away in the cup,” Kompany said. “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.”
Bayern’s early stride, and the Musiala question
The result continues a powerful start to Kompany’s tenure. Bayern have already beaten Dortmund 2-1 in the Super Cup and opened their Bundesliga campaign with a 5-1 win over Stuttgart. The attack looks sharp, Kane is already in stride, and new faces like Saibari and Olise are being woven into a side that still expects to dominate every competition it enters.
Yet the most delicate part of Kompany’s early work is not tactical. It’s personal.
Bayern’s form gives them the luxury of patience with Musiala. The temptation, with Schalke up next and the season beginning to gather pace, will be to bring him back as soon as possible. Kompany’s words in Osnabrück suggested something else: Bayern’s long-term ambitions may depend on resisting that urge.
The team is winning now. The real test will be how carefully they protect the player who could define their future.
