Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. Hoffenheim; Bayern linked to expensive goalkeeper; Manchester City, Juventus, Inter Milan wants PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma; A price for Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku; and MORE!

14 Min Read

Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Well, that’s a wrap…

Die Folgen: Bayern’s 4-0 win over Hoffenheim (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich handled its business during a 4-0 victory over Hoffenheim that was the final Bundesliga match for Thomas Müller.

It was not exactly the most enthralling contest, but it did not need to be. The game just needed to see Bayern Munich emerge healthy and to neatly wrap up what was a successful 2024/25 campaign.

Let’s get right to it — here are some quick hitters on the match:

  • As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
  • There were not too many surprises here. Most notably, Harry Kane was left out of the starting XI, but there was omission that raised eyebrows based on recent events — Leroy Sané. The winger rejected Bayern Munich’s contract offer and jetted off to Monaco for a gala event on Thursday night before flying back to attend training. That move was not well-received by the club higher-ups. Otherwise, Serge Gnabry’s inclusion made sense and the send-off game for Eric Dier and Thomas Müller was expected.
  • The Kane situation was a little odd, but he has had a long season that was marred by a couple of different ailments. It was probably the wise move to give him a little extra rest.
  • Given that Neuer picked up a minor injury last week against Borussia Mönchengladbach, it was mildly surprising that Jonas Urbig did not get the call at goalkeeper.
  • The game lacked the necessary juice from both teams early on, but the Bavarians would eventually break through in the 34th minute when Michael Olise whipped in what looked to be a relatively harmless free kick attempt. Oliver Baumann looked like a tree that was about to fall in trying to stop Olise’s shot, but it will go down as a screamer in the scorebook. Bayern Munich was up 1-0.
  • It was tough to see why Baumann looked so balky in his save attempt, he might have simply lost track of the ball or maybe could not see it from the outset.
  • In reality, this was a game that went as expected. Both teams were trying to play out the string. Hoffenheim’s only goal was to avoid getting thrashed — mission accomplished.
  • In the 50th minute, Andrej Kramarić nearly continued his career mastery of Bayern Munich, but his attempt went just wide. That would end up being costly as Joshua Kimmich took a pass from Olise and ripped a shot that deflected off Hoffenheim center-back Leo Østigård for a 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute.
  • Østigård really must hate facing Bayern Munich.
  • This was a neat stat about Olise:
  • Müller’s official end in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich came in the 61st minute when he and Kingsley Coman were subbed off in favor of Kane and Sané. Müller did not do anything spectacular, but he was not bad either. It was really cool, though, to see how the traveling fans (and some of the home fans, too) gave him the proper respect that a legend deserves.
  • Kramarić had another chance in the 64th minute, but Neuer pushed it away.
  • In the 67th minute, Tom Bischof had an emotional exit as he will leave for Bayern Munich in just a few weeks. It will be very interesting to see where he fits for next season.
  • Bischof had a solid individual game, but his squad got dominated.
  • In the 80th minute, Kane rattled the near post with a shot, got his own rebound, and slid a deft pass over Gnabry (Kane’s backup next season?) for a 3-0 lead.
  • Kane added his own goal in the 86th minute with a shot that Baumann had no chance on.
  • Sané had a chance to give Bayern Munich its 100th goal on the Bundesliga season, but did not convert.
  • Overall, it was a good way to end the season. Bayern Munich took care of business in this match and won the league title. All-in-all, it was a good season. Now, the real work begins, though. New pieces need to be added to the roster and some familiar faces will need to move on. Max Eberl has a tough job ahead of him to make this team Champions League-winner worthy for next season. Can he do it?

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

Also, be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.

No shot…Bayern linked to GK with €75 million price tag (Goal)

Bayern Munich has been loosely linked to Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, but to outbid Manchester United and Manchester City, the Bavarians would have to fork over €75 million or more:

According to A Bola, via Sport Witness, United, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich are keeping tabs on Porto keeper Diogo Costa. The Portugal stopper has a €75m (£63m) release clause and could potentially be on the move this summer, despite having just over two years left on his contract.

City, Juve, Inter want Donnarumma (ESPN)

Manchester City, Juventus, and Inter Milan are all kicking around the idea of bringing in Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma:

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has impressed this season, especially in the UEFA Champions League, and is attracting interest from Manchester City, Juventus and Inter Milan, according to Sport Italia. PSG had been ready to look at signing Lille’s Lucas Chevalier as a replacement for the Italy international, whose contract expires in 2026, after a slow start to his career in Paris. As a result, some of Europe’s top clubs are set to make Donnarumma an offer to persuade him to move, though PSG are reported to be open to extending his contract too.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 43 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich is rounding into its final week of the Bundesliga season, so you all know what that means — the insanity of the summer transfer window has already begun.

Let’s check in on some of the latest news and tackle where we are at with all of it. This is what we have on tap for the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

  • The Bayern Munich Frauen have hired a new coach!
  • Xabi Alonso already throwing weight around at Real Madrid?
  • Bayer Leverkusen is going to face a mass exodus this summer.
  • How are we all feeling about Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Florian Wirtz?
  • The dilemma — integrating young players without much hope for playing time or to loan them out? Let’s explore the complexities of this in Bavaria.
  • Kim Min-jae might have fallen out of favor at Bayern Munich. Will he stick with the club if the Jonathan Tah signing goes through?

Chelsea must buy Sancho (GiveMeSport via ESPN)

Chelsea FC has an obligation to buy Jadon Sancho, but still could back out by paying a fee or sell the former Borussia Dortmund scorer:

Chelsea’s obligation to sign Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho on a permanent basis for £25m has kicked in following the club’s 2-1 win over Fulham. The Blues can no longer finish lower than 15th in the Premier League table, which was a contractual requirement for the clause in his loan deal to become active. Chelsea can override the obligation by paying a £5m fee, although the club are yet to make a firm decision over his future.

Madrid wants Konaté (ESPN)

Real Madrid could be looking at former RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konaté:

Real Madrid are hoping to sign Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté when his contract expires next summer, according to Marca. Los Blancos are planning on recruiting Arsenal’s William Saliba via the same method, although in his case, they’ll have to wait until 2027. However, L’Équipe reports that Arsenal are stepping up plans to extend Saliba’s deal. Madrid’s immediate centre-back target is AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, who has a £50 million release. Chelsea and Liverpool are expected to provide competition for the 20-year-old.

Juve looking at strikers (ESPN)

Juventus is going to take a look at the striker market this summer:

Juventus are building their shortlist of replacements as they plan to part ways with striker Dusan Vlahovic in the summer, reports Calciomercato. Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund is reported to be one of the names high up on the Bianconeri’s shortlist. They are also looking at Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha, who is attracting interest from multiple clubs in the Premier League — including Man United. The Serie A club are keen to move on from Vlahović to avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2026, and they could make several additions to their forward line following a disappointing campaign.

€40 million for Nkunku? (MaxiFoot via 90Min.com)

Well, if Bayern Munich wants Chelsea FC’s Christopher Nkunku, now we know what it will take to get him:

On the other hand, Chelsea could let Nkunku leave for as little as €40m (£34.3m).

Spurs want Cherki (ESPN)

Tottenham Hotspur could be looking to bring in Rayan Cherki:

Tottenham Hotspur are keen to beat Premier League rivals to the signing of Lyon forward Rayan Cherki, though the player himself is more interested in a move to Liverpool.

BuLi Team of the Season (Sky via @iMiaSanMia)

Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, Florian Wirtz, Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Alphonso Davies, and Konrad Laimer were named to Sky Sport’s Bundesliga Team of the Season:

Eintracht celebrates UCL at gas station (@Plettigoal)

They really need a Wawa in Germany:

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