Tel And Krätzig Shine As Bayern Munich Beat Münster 4-0

It might have been a meaningless first-round DFB Pokal victory for Bayern Munich at first glance. But at second glance, Bayern’s 4-0 victory over 3. Liga side Preußen Münster provided some meaningful insight into the status of several top talents. First and foremost, Mathys Tel and Frans Krätzig.

Both Tel and Krätzig were on the scoreboard on Tuesday. Tel scored Bayern’s fourth goal in the 86th minute but also provided the assist for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s opener in the ninth minute. Krätzig, in the meantime, came on in the eleventh minute after Serge Gnabry was taken off after fracturing his hand in a collision with Preußen keeper Johannes Schenk. The 20-year-old scored just before the break to make it 3-0—Konrad Laimer scored Bayern’s second (40’).

While both youngsters collected arguments for more minutes, Tel, in particular, has been outstanding in recent weeks. The 18-year-old French striker has scored three goals in just 79 minutes of play across five Bundesliga games for Bayern Munich this season. According to Transfermarkt, that is a Bundesliga goal every 27 minutes.

Not surprisingly, large parts of the fanbase have been calling for Tel to be tested from the start, and on Tuesday, Thomas Tuchel finally gave in. “He scored and played a very good game,” Tuchel said. That’s the most important thing for a striker. He also has the trust of his teammates—that’s good for us.”

That trust might soon be tested as Gnabry is expected to be out for some time. “Serge Gnabry has broken his forearm, will have surgery tomorrow, and will be out for a few weeks,” Tuchel said after the game to Sky Germany. “That’s extremely bitter for us.” With Gnabry out long-term, Tel could now be the logical next player in the rotation.

Krätzig, too, collected arguments for more playing time. Able to play both as a wing-back and midfielder, the 20-year-old is a bit of a late bloomer. Although a smaller player, Krätzig’s career almost came to an end when he struggled through a growth spurt while playing for Bayern II. It was only when he reinvented himself as a wing-back that his career started to progress once again.

In fact, a last-minute injury to Choupo-Moting before the Asia trip meant that Krätzig got to travel with Bayern’s first team this offseason. Krätzig made the most of that opportunity, scoring a beautiful goal against Liverpool, and has been a member of Bayern’s first team ever since, finally making his Bundesliga debut last Saturday in the 7-0 win against Bochum.

“[Krätzig] is great,” Tuchel said after the game. “He’s a good boy, very clear in the head, very humble and self-conscious. There is potential.” That potential was visible when he scored from a beautiful Jamal Musiala assist. Indeed, it was a combination that Bayern fans might need to get used to as the club increasingly relies on the next generation.

“Those are his words,” Krätzig said when asked about the Tuchel comments. “I try to do what I can. If he says I have potential, then I trust his experience.” Indeed, that is the main takeaway from an easy Bayern victory against Preußen Münster. The kids have potential it is now up to Tuchel’s experience to get the most out of it.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth and on Threads: @manuveth