:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66962080/1250987009.jpg.0.jpg)
Bayern Munich capped off their first victory lap since clinching their 8th consecutive Bundesliga title with a 3-1 win over SC Freiburg. Hansi Flick had the flexibility to make changes to his starting lineup and utilize substitutes that he ordinarily wouldn’t. Sarpreet Singh was given his first Bundesliga start and, albeit briefly, both Jamal Musiala and Chris Richards made their senior debuts for Bayern, coming on as second half substitutes.
Richards came on in the 84th minute for Javi Martinez and Musiala replaced Thomas Müller in the 88th minute. Both players are products of Bayern’s youth teams and have been solid performers for Bayern’s reserve side in the 3. Liga.
Musiala was pushed to the U19 side from the U17 side just before the coronavirus outbreak and Sebastian Hoeneß had since made the decision to then bump him up to the reserves. With his appearance today, he became the youngest ever player to make his Bundesliga debut for Bayern at 17 years of age. This comes just over a week after he became the youngest goal scorer in the 3. Liga when he scored his brace in Bayern II’s win over FSV Zwickau.
Richards is 20, but it was still his debut for Bayern’s senior squad when he came on.
Speaking after the win, Flick offered his highest praises for both Musiala and Richards (TZ): “Good work is being done on the campus. I’ve mentioned that before. We have good quality for filling the roster. Our U23 is also playing very, very successfully. Jamal Musiala and Chris Richards — both of them are very well on their way. That’s why we rewarded both of them today, so that they could get a taste of the Bundesliga. It’s still a long way before you’re allowed to play for Bayern Munich.”
very grateful to have made my debut today ❤️ thanking the man up above for everything i’m receiving #ykn pic.twitter.com/8LqmI9YrSt
— chris richards (@eastmamba) June 20, 2020
Musiala is considered to be one of the most promising young and up-coming talents at Bayern. After being born in Stuttgart and moving the England to study abroad, he played for both Southampton’s and Chelsea’s youth teams before moving to Munich. He flourished under Miroslav Klose in the U17s and warranted his call ups to the U19s, reserves, and now the first team.
In case you missed our series on Chris Richard’s journey to Bayern, be sure to check them out here: