Bundesliga 2016-17: Schalke 0 - 2 Bayern Munich - 5 talking points
Bayern Munich secured their second league win of the season under Carlo Ancelotti, albeit in unconvincing fashion as Schalke ensured that the reigning Bundesliga champions had to work extremely hard to get the three points.
After a series of chances at both ends of the field, Bayern Munich finally opened the scoring in the 81st minute courtesy of Robert Lewandowski's neat finish from Javi Martinez’s perfectly weighted through ball, before the Pole turned provider and assisted Joshua Kimmich’s goal – his first in Bundesliga – in injury time to secure the win for his side.
Here are the major talking points from Bayern Munich’s 2-0 win over Schalke:
#1 Renato Sanches is far from a finished product
The Portuguese sensation, fresh from helping his country lift the Euros, made his debut for the Bavarians at the Veltins-Arena but failed to shine. Sanches was afforded an extended break following his exploits at the European Championship, however, having fully recovered he was started ahead of Arturo Vidal – who was not risked due to a minor knock.
The 19-year-old slotted in well alongside Xabi Alonso and Thiago Alcantara but lacked the panache associated with a world class midfielder. He was anonymous for most parts of the game and the only relevant contribution he made was getting booked in the 71st minute for a professional foul on Leon Goretzka, before being eventually substituted by Kimmich.
Although it is not difficult to look average in a Bayern Munich side, considering the abundance of talent at their disposal and with age on his side, Sanches will certainly improve to become a world-beater.