Bayern Munich defeated Hoffenheim 3-0 at home on Friday as the club commemorated the life of Franz Beckenbauer. Jamal Musiala scored twice and Harry Kane added a late goal.
Beckenbauer, who spent the most of his career at Bayern Munich and helped them establish themselves as a European force, died on Sunday at the age of 78.
He was put to rest only hours before start, and Bayern paid homage to the German football hero with various tributes.
Musiala, born two decades after Beckenbauer withdrew from the game in 1983, scored in each half to guarantee the home team paid tribute to him in the greatest way possible.
“You know he’s a legend when you play for Bayern,” Musiala told DAZN.
“He contributed significantly to Bayern. We wanted to win for him out of courtesy.
“He was before my time a bit, but from what I’ve seen, videos, and what I’ve heard, he’s a legend.”
Kane sealed the victory in the last minute of normal time, his 22nd league goal in 16 games since joining Bayern in the summer.
Before the game on Friday, players and 75,000 spectators held a minute’s silence in remembrance of Beckenbauer, who was one of only three individuals to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach.
“It’s not easy to find the right words,” remarked an emotional Bayern veteran Thomas Mueller, admitting that playing after the tributes was “a little strange, of course.”
“Not only the Bayern family, but everyone on the planet, recognized Franz Beckenbauer.”
‘He did everything for Bayern’ “He did everything for (Bayern), and all we can say is thank you.”
Bayern controlled possession early on, but their assault was sluggish after not playing for three weeks.
Even Kane, who is generally dependable, misplaced passes and failed to reach teammates.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel told DAZN that although he was pleased with the outcome, “we weren’t fluid enough… there’s more to do.”
Tuchel, on the other hand, described the event as a “football celebration,” stating it was “exactly what Franz Beckenbauer would have wished for.”
Musiala’s individual brilliance broke the tie in the 18th minute, when the 20-year-old collected a short corner and sent an inch-perfect shot across goal and in off the far post.
Early in the second half, Hoffenheim pressed for an equalizer, driving Bayern captain Manuel Neuer, making his 500th appearance for the club, into multiple last-ditch saves.
“We were in it, there was more in that game for us,” Hoffenheim skipper Oliver Baumann lamented.
According to Mueller, “we needed Manuel Neuer in the second-half — putting his hands up, and then flashing a youthful smile.”
With 20 minutes left, Musiala doubled Bayern’s advantage by tapping in a ball from Leroy Sane.
Grischa Proemel received a second yellow card soon after, reducing Hoffenheim to 10 men.
Kane then scored as time expired, capping up a commanding victory for the German champs.
Bayern moved within one point of Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen with the victory.
With a victory against Augsburg on Saturday, Leverkusen can move four points ahead, albeit Bayern still has a game in hand.