Sadio Mane scores on debut as champions thrash hosts in Bundesliga opener

Bayern Munich scored five goals in the first half to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 6-1 in the Bundesliga season opener on Friday. Sadio Mane scored one of the goals.

The Bavarians set the tone early in their quest for an 11th consecutive league title, outclassing the Europa League winners, who face Real Madrid in the Super Cup next week, with new signing Mane on target.

Mane, who also scored in last week’s German Super Cup victory over RB Leipzig, was one of five different scorers in a frenzied first half that began with Joshua Kimmich’s audacious free-kick that went in off the post in the fifth minute.

Six minutes later, just before Eintracht hit the woodwork through Tuta, Benjamin Pavard drilled in their second.

But Mane headed home a Serge Gnabry cross in the 29th minute to make it 3-0, and then sent Thomas Muller through to set up Jamal Musiala for their fourth in the 35th minute with a simple tap-in, leaving Eintracht’s defense in shambles.

Gnabry also scored two minutes before halftime, putting to rest any fears that Bayern would struggle in attack following the departure of striker Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.

Eintracht, who will compete in the Champions League this season, were more lively after the break as Bayern relaxed, and they capitalized on goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s error outside the box in the 64th minute to score through Randal Kolo Muani.

Musiala, on the other hand, completed the rout seven minutes from time by latching onto Leroy Sane’s assist and slotting in his second goal of the evening.