Before opening the Bundesliga slate of games on Friday against Hertha Berlin, the Bavarian Giants opened up against Energie Cottbus of the Bundesliga’s fourth tier. While most assumed this would end the way it did, Cottbus was able to withstand the Bayern Munich attack for quite a while.
Although they weren’t able to produce much in terms of attack themselves, they clearly frustrated Bayern’s attempts to get on the scoreboard. Bayern created several set-piece opportunities, but overall, they weren’t that close until the 31st minute. A free header from Kingsley Coman resulted in a save that landed right in front of Robert Lewandowski who quickly made it 1-0.
In the second half, Bayern looked a bit more threatening but continued to miss on that last pass. In the 56th minute, Corentin Tolisso forced a free-kick from a dangerous position. David Alaba missed to the right, but that was the best chance of the second half for Bayern.
In the 63rd, Kingsley Coman had an absolute laser from the left just outside the top of the 18-yard mark. The goal put Bayern up 2-0. Leon Goretzka scored as a sub in the 85th minute. Then, in stoppage time, Energie Cottbus earned a penalty and converted it to make the final score 3-1.
