Gnabry, Kimmich, Sane: Player Ratings and Performances v Schalke

Bayern put in one of the most unplayable performances you will see this season on Friday with a 8-0 destruction of Schalke - in their first match of the new campaign.

Everyone played their part in the huge win, but Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, and Joshua Kimmich, in particular, were fabulous.

📷 Gnabry: Match Snapshot

⚽ ⏱️ 4' It took Gnabry just four minutes to continue his stellar form from last season, and what a goal he scored to kick off Bayern's season. After initially taking the ball down with a perfect touch, he sends the defender the wrong way with a slick touch behind him, allowing him to open up his left foot for a left-footed strike into the left corner.

⚽ ⏱️ 47' For his second of the day, he has new signing Sane to thank, as the former City winger went on a devastatingly quick run beyond the Schalke defence before prodding the ball square to Gnabry for the finish into the empty net.

⚽ ⏱️ 59' Just before the hour mark, the pair would link up once again, as Sane latched on to a ball over the top of the opposition defence before quickly shifting backwards and passing left to Gnabry. The eventual finish was sent through the keeper's legs.

Bayern 8-0 Schalke: Full Player Ratings and Statistics

Even though Gnabry was clearly the finisher on the night, earning himself a perfect 10 FC Rating for his performance, it was even more effective than his goals suggest as he set up three Big Chances in the game which were squandered by team-mates.

He sent 17 passes into the final third and had 13 touches inside the opposition box which was even more than central striker Robert Lewandowski.

〽️ Gnabry: Rating Week-on-Week

✔️ IMPROVEMENT

Even though Bayern ultimately won the Champions League final, which was Gnabry's last competitive match, he was fairly lowkey on the night, scoring a 5.9 FC Rating.

The game against Schalke represents a significant boost to his 10 FC Rating.

🗝️ Key Stats

Gnabry: What Next?

The world is at the feet of the former Arsenal star. If he continues this form, he will become one of the greatest players on earth - if he isn't already.

This coming midweek, Bayern play Sevilla in the European Super Cup.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: SANE & KIMMICH

Schalke may have been absolutely hopeless in defence, but they were up against the quickest wingers in Europe. Now that Bayern have Sane and Gnabry on each flank, the rest of the Bundesliga should be terrified.

Sane recorded two assists on the night, and it isn't an exaggeration to say that, for his first, only a handful of players in the world could have pulled it off, such was his lightning quick speed to get in behind the opposition backline to assist Gnabry.

The second assist displayed his intelligence, as he stopped his momentum at the right moment to send the defender still heading forward, opening up the space to again pass to Gnabry.

⚽ ⏱️ 71' He would eventually claim his first Bayern goal, again via a bursting run through the middle, with a composed finish into the bottom left corner.

What softens the blow of losing Thiago to Liverpool? Already having Joshua Kimmich in midfield, of course.

Kimmich was remarkable against Schalke, completing a quite ridiculous 64/66 passes to team-mates, and when you consider that 25 of these were sent into the final third and 12 were long balls, it shows his pint-point accuracy in his distribution.

The counts of 25 and 12 were the highest of any outfield player in the game.

He also recorded two assists.

The first was for the opening goal as he clipped a ball over the top of the Schalke defence for Gnabry, while the second was fired through the middle of the pitch for Sane to run on to.

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