Kingsley Coman illuminated a routine 3-1 win for Bayern Munich at Energie Cottbus in the DFB-Pokal.
Coman had a hand in Robert Lewandowski's first-half opener before his superb 65th-minute strike ensured there would be no way back for Bayern's fourth-tier opponent.
Niko Kovac handed a full debut to another France international, defender Benjamin Pavard, in a strong line-up, who rounded things off when substitute Leon Goretzka slotted home five minutes from time, shortly before late a Energie consolation via a penalty.
But the most eye-catching performance came from Coman on the wing, with Bayern expected to bolster its wide attacking options by completing the signing of Ivan Perisic from Inter this week.
The Bundesliga champion was forced to be patient against disciplined opponent roared on by a buoyant Stadion der Freundschaft, before going ahead in the 32nd minute.
Lennart Moser saved impressively when Coman headed Joshua Kimmich's cross goalwards but Lewandowski was on hand to convert the rebound.
A poor Kimmich clearance gave Felix Brugmann a half-chance he hacked over four minutes from the interval.
Coman and Lewandowski combined again early in the second period – the Poland striker flicking wide with the outside of his right boot.
Energie was struggling to contain Coman, who had a 48th-minute penalty appeal waved away before netting in style after the hour.
A sweeping move saw Goretzka drive forward to find Coman on the left flank, from where he darted inside to send a shot swerving into the far corner from 25 yards.
Goretzka's perfectly timed run to finish a cutback from Serge Gnabry made Bayern safe – just as well given the former Schalke midfielder's clumsy foul gave Berkan Taz a moment to savour in stoppage time.
- Lewandowski underwhelmed by Pokal win -
Robert Lewandowski felt Bayern Munich was not at its best in the 3-1 DFB-Pokal win over fourth-tier Energie Cottbus.
"I think we showed what we want to do. I'm glad we won," Lewandowski said.
"Maybe it was not an amazing game for our side, but we had to do our job."
Captain Neuer also feels Bayern, which lost 2-0 to rival Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup, has room to improve before Friday's Bundesliga opener against Hertha Berlin.
"We should have passed the ball a little bit quicker in the first half but, all-in-all, we should be satisfied," he said.
"I just spoke to their goalkeeper [Lennart Moser], he did a really good job and that's why we did not score more goals.
"There are still some things to improve and it's never easy to know where you're standing before the league kicks off. I'm quite positive. We will see what happens on Friday."
Lewandowski, who finished last term as the Bundesliga's top scorer for the fourth time in the past six seasons, added: "It's been a long time between the last game in the Bundesliga and now and I think it will be a great night in Munich."
Comments
SHARE