Bayern is unstoppable 18-0 Victory in Gern

18-0 romp in Gern
Goals on debut for Ribéry and Toni





Luca Toni and Franck Ribéry’s official debut in Bayern colours away to local league outfit FT Gern turned into a breezy and free-scoring affair on Friday evening. The two highest-profile signings of the summer joined in the fun as the Reds racked up an 18-0 victory in a benefit match against Munich-born Philipp Lahm’s home club, and there was a first strike too for another newcomer, Jose Ernesto Sosa.

The most prolific scorer in front of a 10,000 crowd at the Dante stadium was Miroslav Klose on four, followed by Toni, Ribéry, Sosa, Martin Demichelis and Mats Hummels with a brace apiece, together with strikes from Mark van Bommel, Lahm and Sandro Wagner. Gern keeper Günter Pasta contributed to the rip-roaring action with an own goal, in a match whereby the home side were already the de factor winners before kick-off. The proceeds from the atch have been earmarked for much-needed improvements to the changing room facilities at the club.

Honour for Lahm senior

Head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld fielded both Toni und Ribéry from the off, the Italian alongside Miroslav Klose in what manager Uli Hoeneß has described as Bayern's "dream forward line," with Ribéry on the left side of midfield. Lahm started in his usual left-back berth against his former club, and even wore the captain's armband after half-time.

However, the initial hero of the evening at the Dante stadium – normally home to American Football outfit the Munich Cowboys – was Philipp's father Roland, handed the honour of symbolically kicking off the match. As expected, Bayern immediately seized control and Philipp Lahm's first foray and cross led to Sosa opening his account for the Bavarians on seven minutes.

Toni from the spot

Klose (11, 12), Demichelis (14, 24), Toni (18) from the penalty spot after Florian Königsbauer had fouled Sosa, and the Argentine newcomer himself (19) rattled up further goals to make the score 7-0 not a quarter of an hour later.

Bayern continued to create a host of chances, but Gern keeper Serdar Cakmacki kept the score down for a spell. However, Toni (33) and Klose (34) hit the target again to make the score 9-0 at the interval. Oliver Kahn touched the ball just once, capably fielding a Daniel van Buyten return header.

No mercy

"It's high-tempo stuff, with quick passing and movement," a satisfied Hoeneß commented at the break. Given the intense battle for places at the club, the manager was unable to offer FT Gern much hope of mercy in the second half. "They're all determined to show the coach how good they are, so I see no hope of them easing back."

The men in red duly picked up the pace where they had left off after 45 minutes. The next goal fell to Van Bommel (48), before new Gern shot-stopper Pasta – the home side sent out eleven new players for the second period – turned a Lahm cross over his own goal-line (52). Ribéry crowned an excellent solo run with his first goal for the club after 58 minutes, before doubling his tally ten minutes later.

Fan invasion

Klose (59), Lahm (65) and subs Hummels (78, 84) and Wagner (82) knocked in the remaining goals to make the score 18-0 at the final whistle, whereupon the crowd stormed onto the pitch in search of autographs and souvenir photos. The PA announcer gave them some useful advice: "Please be careful of the Bayern Munich players. They were very expensive."

FT Gern 0-18 Bayern Munich (H-T: 0-9)

Bayern: Kahn (Rensing 46) - Altintop (Celozzi 76), Demichelis, Van Buyten, Lahm - Sosa (Lell 63), Ottl, Van Bommel (Hummels 63), Ribéry - Toni (Wagner 63), Klose (Fürstner 71)

Attendance: 10,000

Goals: 0-1 Sosa (7), 0-2 und 0-3 Klose (11, 12), 0-4 Demichelis (14), 0-5 Toni (18, pen), 0-6 Sosa (19), 0-7 Demichelis (24), 0-8 Toni (33), 0-9 Klose (34), 0-10 Van Bommel (48), 0-11 Pasta (52, o.g.), 0-12 Ribéry (58), 0-13 Klose (59), 0-14 Lahm (65), 0-15 Ribéry (68), 0-16 Hummels (78), 0-17 Wagner (82), 0-18 Hummels (84