Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala Update After 4-1 Cup Win

OSNABRÜCK, Germany — Vincent Kompany walked off a wet German Cup touchline with a 4-1 win in his pocket and one name still dominating his thoughts: Jamal Musiala.

The Bayern Munich coach confirmed on Wednesday that the Germany star could be back on the pitch soon, but made it clear there will be no rush, no pressure.

“He might be an option” for Saturday’s Bundesliga trip to promoted Schalke, Kompany said after the victory over second-tier Osnabrück, before quickly drawing a line. “But I don't want to put any more pressure on the guy.”

Musiala has not played a competitive minute under Kompany. His preseason was abruptly halted after he collapsed twice in four days because of a neurological issue. The 21-year-old later revealed he is dealing with treatable absence seizures, first collapsing during a friendly on Aug. 18, just three days after a similar episode in a preseason game against RB Leipzig.

Bayern have tiptoed through the situation since, keeping their most gifted playmaker out of the firing line while doctors work and the player recovers. Kompany’s message in Osnabrück was the same: Bayern want Musiala back, but only on his terms and his timeline.

Kane at the double as Bayern cruise

On the pitch, Bayern’s title defense in the German Cup barely flickered with doubt, even if they needed to absorb an early punch.

Osnabrück stunned the visitors with a thunderbolt from Robin Meissner, who took aim from around 30 meters and ripped the ball into the top right corner. It was the kind of strike that silences a stadium for half a second before the noise explodes. Even Bayern’s stars recognized it. Harry Kane and goalkeeper Jonas Urbig both congratulated Meissner for the goal.

Kane’s response came quickly.

The England captain pulled Bayern level soon after the opener, steadying the nerves and reasserting the hierarchy. By the 24th minute, Tom Bischof had flipped the game, making it 2-1 and restoring the sense that this would be a routine night for the holders.

Osnabrück stayed stubborn, compact and organized, the sort of lower-division side that lives for these nights and refuses to fold. Bayern had to work through them. Kompany resisted the temptation to rotate heavily, starting Kane alongside Luis Díaz and Michael Olise, while new signing Ismael Saibari was handed his first start since arriving from PSV Eindhoven.

“We kept finding the spaces and the chances eventually became bigger as well,” Kompany said. “We were battling their compactness in the first half; in the second they tried to press us, which also gave us opportunities.”

The pressure finally broke them.

In the 73rd minute, Olise stepped up to effectively kill the contest, making it 3-1 and draining the last of Osnabrück’s belief. Kane then added his second from the penalty spot to complete the scoring and underline the gulf in class.

“At the end of the day, it's a 4-1 win away in the cup,” Kompany said. “You can't get much better than that against a compact, defensively strong team, who have built their success on just that. To win a match like this 4-1 away from home is not easy.”

Kane echoed the respect for the hosts’ effort.

“I think it was a good performance. Games like this are never easy,” he said. “We played away from home against a good side and the atmosphere the fans created was really impressive. In games like this you have to be disciplined and mentally switched on — especially when the opponents start with such an outrageous goal.”

Bayern rolling, Musiala still the big question

The result keeps Bayern’s early-season momentum intact. Kompany’s side opened with a 2-1 win over Dortmund in the Super Cup and smashed Stuttgart 5-1 to launch their Bundesliga campaign. The attack is flowing, the new faces are bedding in, and Kane looks every inch the ruthless focal point Bayern paid for.

Yet Musiala’s situation lingers over all of it.

Bayern are winning without him, but they know what he adds: the glide through midfield, the sudden shift of tempo, the ability to turn a tight game with one touch. Kompany insists he will not gamble with that future for a few extra minutes in August and September.

Schalke away looms on Saturday. The question now is simple: does Musiala’s comeback begin there, or will Bayern’s most gifted creator be made to wait a little longer?