Sadio Mané casts magic in dream debut against DC United

Created: 07/21/2022, 13:11

By: Caroline Metz

One of the new stars at FC Bayern Munich: Sadio Mané.

In the first game in the new dress, he scored a goal.

© Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP

After the departure of Lewandowski, the new stars Mané and de Ligt impress on their debut.

FC Bayern wins confidently against DC United.

Washington – The long-awaited premiere of the "new" FC Bayern has finally taken place.

Even though the Audi Summer Tour in the USA is primarily for marketing purposes, it still offered the newcomers the opportunity to show what they can do.

Fans were skeptical: is Sadio Mané worth his salary?

How will the team cope with the departure of star striker Robert Lewandowski?

How does the new lineup work?

Mané and de Ligt make a successful debut

On Wednesday (July 20) FC Bayern played DC United at 7:30 p.m. (local time) – the fans in Germany were probably almost all in their beds by then.

It was a good start for Bayern after the summer break: they won 6-2, the two superstars Mané and Matthijs de Ligt celebrated successful debuts.

Mané quickly showed the FC Bayern supporters what they can look forward to in the new season - in the 5th minute he converted a penalty to make it 1-0.

Then Marcel Sabitzer (12th minute) and shortly before the break Serge Gnabry (44th minute) scored after a good assist from Mané.

The Senegalese could have almost scored two more goals - but they were disallowed for offside.

Mané's much-praised zeal for work can be seen directly in his Bayern debut.

So it was 3-0 at the break for the record champions.

Nagelsmann attests Mané and de Ligt a “good start”

Coach Julian Nagelsmann made a number of changes at half-time and introduced the second new signing, de Ligt, who had only arrived the night before after some travel hardships.

This fact obviously didn't slow down the Dutchman: after a set piece he scored 4-0 (47th minute) for Bayern.

A little later it was Joshua Zirkzee's turn and scored the fifth goal (51st minute).

But then the Americans remembered themselves again: Skage Lehland reduced the lead to 1:5 (54th minute), then Theodore Ku-DiPietro was able to make it 2:5 (83rd minute) for DC United.

Thomas Müller completed the game, who made it 6-2 in injury time.

A clear victory that didn't demand too much from Bayern – although the sweltering heat made things difficult for them.

There was a moment of shock when de Ligt was taken off the field after just 25 minutes.

Coach Nagelsmann calmed down: "He has no injury, nothing out of the ordinary happened.

I think he'll be fit again tomorrow and be able to play on Saturday." He was satisfied with de Ligt and Mané: "Both players got off to a good start."

also read

New Thomas Müller role?

Nagelsmann announces "new Bayern Munich".

Bayern defender before the jump after de Ligt transfer – French first division clubs interested

FC Bayern: Opponents Manchester City are due on Sunday

However, the real test in the USA is still waiting for Bayern, on July 24th.

against Manchester City.

The English champions under former FCB coach Pep Guardiola should be a much tougher nut than DC United.

Mané is also firmly scheduled for that game – although he traveled to Morocco for the African Footballer of the Year awards ceremony immediately after the win against the Americans.

Then it's back to Germany for Bayern.

The next game is waiting for them there: On Saturday, July 30th, Munich hosts RB Leipzig for the German Supercup.