Key Takeaways:
- Bayern Munich claimed a 5-1 away victory over Pafos in the Champions League main phase last night
- Harry Kane found the net twice, with further goals from Raphael Guerreiro, Nicolas Jackson and Michael Olise
- Bayern have maintained a perfect record this season, now topping the Champions League standings
Match Analysis
Bayern Munich displayed their attacking intent early on with a comprehensive 5-1 win away at Pafos in the second round of the Champions League’s main stage. The German champions effectively secured the result by half-time, having already scored four times before the break. This victory means Bayern have now scored 24 goals over their last six matches across all competitions, yielding an impressive average of six goals per match. The Bavarians’ ruthless start to the season continues, with their latest win propelling them to the top of the group standings. For debutants Pafos, it leaves them with one point and a steep learning curve at the highest level of European football.
🔔 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 🔔
2️⃣ Champions League 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗦 out of 2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/a1IDjvneTF
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) September 30, 2025
Team Line-Ups and Tactical Adjustments
This first official meeting between Bayern and Pafos comes as little surprise, given the Cypriot club’s brief history following their foundation in 2014. Pafos manager Juan Carlos Carcedo opted for an attacking set-up, deploying Brazilian Anderson Silva as the focal point up front, flanked by Mislav Oršić and Vlad Dragomir, while experienced defender David Luiz anchored the back line.
Bayern, meanwhile, were unable to call upon long-term absentees Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and Hiroki Ito, in addition to the injured Jonas Urbig and Josip Stanišić. Manager Vincent Kompany made a host of changes from the 4-0 win over Werder Bremen, handing Nicolas Jackson a start as striker in place of Serge Gnabry. Harry Kane operated deeper, joined by Michael Olise and Luis Díaz in advanced roles. The midfield partnership was entirely refreshed, with Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović slotting in, while defensive alterations saw Kim Min-jae and Raphael Guerreiro return to the starting eleven.
First-Half Summary
Bayern signalled their intentions from the outset, with Luis Díaz testing Pafos goalkeeper Neofytos Michail from range in the seventh minute, and Harry Kane striking the woodwork moments later. The breakthrough arrived in the 15th minute, when Michael Olise’s incisive ball found Kane, who finished clinically into the bottom corner. Five minutes on, Olise set up Raphael Guerreiro, who played a sharp one-two with Nicolas Jackson before finishing to put Bayern two goals up.
The German side’s momentum continued as Olise’s surging run on the right teed up Jackson, whose composed finish secured his maiden Bayern goal in the 31st minute. Pafos briefly threatened through a Jaja effort, but Bayern responded forcefully, with Kane capitalising on a defensive scramble to add a fourth after 34 minutes. Just before the interval, Pafos produced a memorable moment, as Mislav Oršić pounced on a stray Kim Min-jae pass and rifled home from distance for the Cypriot club’s first ever Champions League group stage goal.
| Minute | Scorer | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | 1-0 |
| 20 | Raphael Guerreiro | Bayern Munich | 2-0 |
| 31 | Nicolas Jackson | Bayern Munich | 3-0 |
| 34 | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | 4-0 |
| 45 | Mislav Oršić | Pafos | 4-1 |
| 69 | Michael Olise | Bayern Munich | 5-1 |
Second-Half Events and Individual Highlights
At the break, Serge Gnabry replaced Luis Díaz for Bayern. Pafos opened the half with renewed energy, nearly narrowing the gap via captain David Goldar’s header, only for the attempt to canon into team-mate Jaja. Bayern responded with further chances, including a powerful shot from Aleksandar Pavlović that Michail managed to save and a close-range header from Joshua Kimmich that went narrowly over.
Vincent Kompany substituted Harry Kane midway through the second period, introducing Sacha Boey, before Bayern resumed control. Jackson raced clear on goal but was denied by Michail’s save, though Michael Olise was on hand to stroke home the rebound and restore Bayern’s four-goal advantage. In the closing stages, Kompany rotated his squad, giving minutes to academy prospects Lenart Karl and Tom Bischof, while Serge Gnabry and Jackson were both denied by the woodwork.
Statistical Overview and Implications
Bayern Munich’s emphatic result means they occupy the summit of the Champions League standings with maximum points, maintaining their perfect start to the campaign. Their tally of 24 goals in the past six fixtures underlines their prolific form in front of goal, and with contributions spread across Kane, Jackson, Guerreiro, and Olise, they appear well-equipped for the challenges ahead. Conversely, Pafos continue to seek their maiden victory in the competition, having managed just a solitary point thus far.
