Bayern Munich kicked off the 2025/26 season with high hopes, boasting impressive victories in their preseason and a commanding Supercup win against VfB Stuttgart. The excitement continued with a headline-grabbing 6-0 drubbing of RB Leipzig in their Bundesliga opener. But when they faced the 3. Liga side, SV Wehen Wiesbaden, in the DFB-Pokal first round, all expectations were thrown out the window.

What was anticipated to be a straightforward victory turned into a nail-biter, as the Bavarians narrowly escaped with a 3-2 win after a fierce battle. Here are the standout observations from this unexpected clash.

Tactics in Disarray

Despite the dramatic result, Bayern's tactical approach left much to be desired. Head coach Vincent Kompany is still searching for a reliable attacking midfielder, rotating players like Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl. While Karl showed flashes of promise, the overall structure of the team appeared chaotic.

Bayern struggled in their buildup play, with players seemingly out of sync. It was evident that the formation had vanished amidst the pressure, leading to missed opportunities in the final third. The team desperately needs to refine its tactics and find a cohesive passing strategy to avoid such close calls in the future.

Players Who Shone... and Those Who Didn't

Harry Kane, though underwhelming with a missed penalty, salvaged his night by scoring twice. His performance was critical in keeping Bayern afloat amid turbulence.

However, Aleksander Pavlović had a particularly tough outing, struggling with his passes and likely facing a return to the bench. Meanwhile, Raphael Guerriero seemed off the pace and Jonathan Tah's defensive lapses contributed to the two goals conceded, raising alarms about the backline's reliability.

Even young goalkeeper Jonas Urbig had a night to forget, failing to make crucial saves as he conceded twice.

A Roller Coaster Game: The Bright Sides

Despite the disarray, the match was not without its highlights. The non-penalty goals were fantastic; Karl's 50th-minute setup led to an excellent finish by Michael Olise, pushing Bayern to a 2-0 lead. Kane’s late-game goal showcased his resilience, capitalizing on Josip Stanišić's spot-on cross.

While these moments were bright spots, they don't overshadow the glaring issues within the squad. It's clear that every team in the Pokal will be a formidable challenge, and Bayern must tighten their tactics and focus if they aspire to secure a historic 21st cup.

As Bayern marches on in the DFB-Pokal, the team must reevaluate their strategies and improve in upcoming fixtures. The climate of the competition suggests there are no easy wins, and if the Rekordmeister hopes to reclaim glory, they've got work to do.