Match Awards for Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win over Schalke

After a disappointing draw at home in the opener, Bayern Munich stormed back to a 3-0 win on the road against Schalke. Lewandowski scored a penalty goal in the first half and then added two more from the run of play in the second. Schalke had no answers. Here are our match awards.

Jersey swap: Alexander Nübel

Although three goals landed in the back of his net today, Alexander Nübel had three really good saves, which kept this game from getting even uglier. Unfortunately for him, Lewandowski was unstoppable today. I also give this award somewhat literally. I would love to see Nübel swap his royal blue for Bavarian red. (I know goalies wear other colors, but you know what I mean!) I could easily see Nübel follow the footsteps of Neuer and leave Gelsenkirchen for Munich.

Tip of the cap: Ivan Perisic and Philippe Coutinho

After Bayern had a 2-0 lead, Niko Kovac brought on two of his new arrivals, Ivan Perisic and Philippe Coutinho, to help acclimate them to Bayern’s system. Both players were able to get forward and and touches in good looking areas. Perisic was giving Schalke trouble on the wings, while Coutinho played a give and go at the top of the box, but the pass back was a little too strong for Coutinho to catch up with. With some more practice and playing time with the squad, these two could help Bayern’s attack greatly.

Golf clap: Kingsley Coman

Coman’s performance is what we have come to expect from the young Frenchman. He was a thorn in the side of the defense on and off the ball. His assist in the 74th minute on Lewandowski’s goal helped put the game to bed. After receiving the ball on at midfield, Coman ran into space and cut inside past a defender. When he got to the top of the box, he picked out Lewy centrally, at the top of the box. Lewy then dribbled past one defender and slotted it into the back of the net. Although he didn’t register a shot, Coman helped the attack by completing 83% of his passes.

Standing ovation: Manuel Neuer

Bayern’s captain recorded his first clean-sheet of the season. Although he made only two official saves, Neuer was constantly coming off his line to go after a long ball. He was also often able to help start a counter-attack by providing a quick outlet after he collected the ball. He completed 93% of his passes on the night. The lone nervous moment from Neuer came in the second half, when Neuer came way out of his box to clear a ball. After a dribble or two, he passed the ball directly to a Schalke player at midfield. Luckily for Bayern, Neuer was able to run back to his goal before Schalke could try to loft one over his head.

Meister of the match: Robert Lewandowski

Could it be anyone else? Coming off of a brace last week, Lewandowski recorded a hat-trick against Schalke, putting his goal tally at five already. Last season’s leading goalscorer is well on his way too defend his title. Like last match, one of Lewandowski’s goals came on a penalty kick, this time drawn by Coman. After a few stutter-steps and toe-drags in the run-up, Lewy sent Nübel the wrong way and but the ball in to the bottom left corner. In the second half, Bayern won a free kick at the top of the box. Lewandowski immediately stood over the ball and eyed the top left corner of the goal. Lewy was able to lift the ball over the wall and let it whip back down into the goal, past a diving Nübel. His third goal came off of an assist by Coman. After getting the ball at the top of the box, Lewy turned and dribble around one defender and found himself one on one with the goalie. Lewy slotted it into the bottom right corner to secure the hat-trick.