VfL Osnabrück 1-4 FC Bayern Munich: Bayern cruise into the next round of the DFB Pokal

FC Bayern Munich opened their DFB Pokal campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory away at VfL Osnabrück on the night of September 3, 2026. While the lower-league hosts showed admirable spirit in front of their home support at the Bremer Brücke, the gap in class was evident as Bayern’s relentless pressing and technical superiority wore down the third-division side. The result sent a clear message to the rest of the competition: Bayern are taking no chances on their road to Berlin.

Match overview

From the opening whistle, Bayern dominated possession, pinning Osnabrück deep inside their own half. The hosts, however, refused to simply roll over. Their compact 5-4-1 block frustrated Bayern for periods, and goalkeeper Lennart Grill produced several sharp saves to keep the score respectable after a high-tempo start from the visitors. Yet once Bayern found the breakthrough just past the half-hour mark, the floodgates began to open.

Key moments

• 33' – Bayern take the lead: After sustained pressure, England captain Harry Kane latched onto a precise cross from Sacha Boey and headed home from close range to settle Bayern nerves.
• 41' – Kane doubles the lead: The striker was again the focal point, sweeping home a rebound after his initial effort was parried by Grill, giving Bayern a comfortable cushion at the interval.
• 58' – Jamal Musiala makes it three: A magical solo run from the edge of the box culminated in a clinical finish into the bottom corner, effectively sealing the tie.
• 71' – Osnabrück pull one back: A rare foray forward brought a deserved moment for the hosts, as substitute Niklas Wiemann reacted quickest to a loose ball in the Bayern box and lashed a volley past the goalkeeper.
• 85' – Michael Olise adds gloss: The French winger rounded off a beautiful team move with a first-time finish, restoring Bayern’s three-goal margin and putting an exclamation point on the night.

Tactical story

Osnabrück manager Sebastian Gunkel set his side up to defend deep and exploit set-piece opportunities, a strategy that kept the match competitive for the opening half-hour. But Bayern’s positional rotations, particularly the fluid movement of Musiala and Kane between the lines, made it impossible for the home side to remain organized for 90 minutes. The width provided by Alphonso Davies and Boey stretched Osnabrück’s back five, and Bayern used quick switches to find space in the final third. After the third goal, the visitors controlled the tempo at will, conserving energy for their domestic league fixtures.

Standout players

Harry Kane took the headlines with a brace and an assist, reminding critics that he remains one of world football’s most complete strikers. Jamal Musiala dazzled in the number 10 role, constantly dropping off the front line to create overloads in midfield. For Osnabrück, Lennart Grill deserves immense credit; without his seven saves, the margin of defeat would have been far greater.

Implications and what’s next

Bayern progress to the second round of the DFB Pokal, continuing their quest for a record-extending title with their first away win of the new cup season. For VfL Osnabrück, the focus now shifts back to their promotion push in the 3. Liga, where the experience of testing themselves against elite opposition could provide valuable momentum. The result also highlights Bayern’s depth under Vincent Kompany, as several rotation players delivered emphatic performances and strengthened their case for more starts in the Bundesliga.