Bayern Munich kicked off 2026 in style, cruising to a commanding 5-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg in a high-energy friendly at the Red Bull Arena, Wals-Siezenheim, Austria. With both sides fielding a blend of regulars and emerging talent, it was the German giants who stole the show, delivering a performance that left fans buzzing and set the tone for the second half of their Bundesliga campaign.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026, was circled on the Bayern calendar as the club’s only friendly before they return to competitive action in the Bundesliga against VfL Wolfsburg. For manager Vincent Kompany, this was more than just a warm-up—it was a chance to test new combinations, give youngsters a taste of the big stage, and maintain the momentum built during a stellar first half of the season.
The starting lineup featured a mix of established stars and promising prospects. Bayern’s eleven included Urbig in goal; Stanišić, Upamecano, Kiala, and Itō across the back; Goretzka and Santos anchoring midfield; and an attacking line of Olise, Guerreiro, Mike, and captain Harry Kane. Notably, the Bayern bench was stacked with academy talent, including Ulreich, Prescott, Kim, Tah, Gnabry, Díaz, Bischof, Laimer, Della Rovere, Fernández, Ofli, Chavez, Karl, Pavlović, and Cardozo.
Salzburg, leaders of the Austrian Bundesliga, countered with Schlager in goal, a defense of Krätzig, Schuster, Gadou, and Trummer; Diabaté and Bidstrup (captain) in midfield; Bischoff, Kitano, and Baidoo supporting lone forward Konate. The home side, however, entered the match on shaky form, having managed just two wins in their last seven competitive outings—a stark contrast to Bayern’s unbeaten Bundesliga run and formidable +44 goal difference.
From the opening whistle, Kompany’s tactical blend of youth and experience paid off. The first half saw Bayern gradually assert control, probing Salzburg’s defense with increasing menace. The breakthrough came just before the interval. At the 45-minute mark, Hiroki Itō found himself in space and unleashed a volley that took a decisive deflection, sending the ball past Schlager to put Bayern ahead, 1-0 at halftime.
During the break, Kompany executed a full line change, swapping in a fresh set of players and giving valuable minutes to reserves and academy products. Salzburg responded in kind, changing out everyone except their goalkeeper. This injection of fresh legs would prove decisive for Bayern, as their young guns seized the spotlight in the second half.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to double their advantage. In the 71st minute, Aleksandar Pavlović and Felipe Chávez capitalized on a Salzburg turnover, combining to set up Lennart Karl for a quick finish—2-0 Bayern. Just four minutes later, Karl returned the favor, providing a precise ball for Chávez, who slid in to make it 3-0.
As the Austrian side struggled to cope with Bayern’s relentless pressure, the floodgates opened. In the 88th minute, Luis Díaz—whose energy had been a spark all game—delivered a looping cross that found Karl soaring above the defense for his second goal of the match. Not to be outdone, in stoppage time, Díaz once again dazzled the Salzburg backline, flicking the ball over defenders to Tom Bischof, who volleyed home with panache for Bayern’s fifth and final goal.
The final whistle confirmed a 5-0 triumph for Bayern, a result that underscored both their depth and their hunger. For Kompany, the match was a showcase of the club’s promising future as well as a confidence booster ahead of their Bundesliga restart.
“No injuries, lots of youngsters, and a second half flurry of goals. That’s a quality friendly for Bayern and the win is a cherry on top,” noted one observer on Bavarian Podcast Works, capturing the mood in the Bayern camp. The coach’s willingness to trust academy players like Lennart Karl and Felipe Chávez paid off handsomely, with the teenagers breaking the game wide open and stamping their names on the scoresheet.
Salzburg, meanwhile, were left searching for answers. Historically, they have struggled against the German champions, with their only win coming in a 3-0 friendly back in 2014. Mads Bidstrup, the Salzburg captain, worked tirelessly in midfield, but the Austrians simply couldn’t match Bayern’s pace and precision, especially after the break.
For two Bayern players, the trip to Salzburg had a personal twist. Konrad Laimer and Dayot Upamecano both returned to face their former club, having worn the Salzburg jersey earlier in their careers before making their way to the Bundesliga. Laimer’s journey took him from Salzburg to RB Leipzig and then to Munich, while Upamecano followed a similar path, joining Bayern in 2021. Their presence added an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling fixture.
It’s worth noting that several Bayern regulars were absent from the squad. Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Sacha Boey, Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and Nicolas Jackson all missed the trip due to injury, illness, or international duty. Musiala, in particular, had hoped to feature but was ruled out as a precaution. This gave Kompany the chance to experiment with new combinations and reward academy prospects with valuable minutes.
While the match was just a friendly, the stakes felt higher for Salzburg, who have been enduring a tough spell in Europa League play and were desperate for a morale boost. Instead, it was Bayern who left with renewed confidence and a reminder of their formidable squad depth. The result also reinforced the perception that Bayern are primed for another strong run in both domestic and European competitions.
Looking ahead, Bayern now turn their attention to Sunday’s Bundesliga clash with VfL Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena. With momentum firmly on their side and a squad brimming with both experience and youthful exuberance, the Rekordmeister will be eager to pick up right where they left off.
As the final whistle echoed around the Red Bull Arena, there was no mistaking the message: Bayern Munich are back, and they mean business. Their blend of established stars and emerging talents has fans dreaming of silverware—and after a performance like this, who could blame them?
