Football – Undefeated Bayern Munich cruised past hosts Heidenheim 4-0 yesterday to go into the winter break with a nine-point advantage at the top of the Bundesliga standings.
In the final Bundesliga match of 2025, Bayern demonstrated their continued dominance at the Voith-Arena, despite missing several key players. Harry Kane registered his 100th Bundesliga goal contribution.
The match represented a meeting of extremes – Vincent Kompany’s side maintained their impressive form away from home, completing an unbeaten calendar year on the road. Bayern’s 103 goals in 2025 marking one of just three instances of a Bundesliga team scoring over 100 in a calendar year, while Heidenheim suffered more defeats (19) than any other club during the same period.
The visitors took control early, keeping Heidenheim pinned back with sustained possession. Their pressure paid dividends in the 15th minute when Michael Olise’s corner found Jonathan Tah at the far post, whose header was parried by Diant Ramaj before Josip Stanišić pounced to nod home from close range.
The hosts struggled to respond, managing just one meaningful attempt when Marvin Pieringer fired wide in the 25th minute.
Bayern’s dominance continued, and they doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Hiroki Ito’s shot created a scramble in the box, with Olise reacting quickest to bundle the ball over the line from just over a metre out. Harry Kane nearly added a third before the break, but his powerful volley was comfortably saved by Ramaj.
Frank Schmidt made two changes at half-time, introducing Arijon Ibrahimović and Stefan Schimmer in search of a way back into the match. The substitutions nearly paid off when Schimmer hit the crossbar with a header in the 56th minute.
The hosts continued to threaten, with Ibrahimović spurning a golden opportunity in the 68th minute, firing over from close range after good work from Sirlord Conteh. At the other end, Kane struck the post with a low drive in the 53rd minute as Bayern remained dangerous.
As Heidenheim pushed forward, spaces opened up for the visitors, and they took full advantage in the closing stages. Luis Díaz made it 3-0 in the 86th minute with a header from Stanišić’s pinpoint cross.
Kane then completed the scoring in stoppage time, showing his clinical finishing with a powerful shot past Ramaj after being played in by substitute Serge Gnabry, to score his 19th Bundesliga goal of the season.
Olise delivered a stellar performance that typified his growing influence at Bayern. The French winger not only scored the crucial second goal that gave the visitors breathing room but was at the heart of their attacking play throughout. His precise corner delivery created the opening goal for Stanišić, showcasing his set-piece prowess.
The Frenchman registered the highest pass efficiency rating of any player on the pitch (4.7), consistently finding teammates in dangerous positions. His movement troubled Heidenheim throughout, reaching a top speed of 32.94 kmph – the second-fastest in the match. With four shots, creative passing, and dangerous dribbling, Olise’s all-around display made him the deserving recipient of the Man of the Match award.
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