Jamal Musiala Scores on Bayern Return as Champions League Streak Extends
Jamal Musiala marked his first Bayern Munich start of the season by scoring the goal that finally broke Bodo/Glimt’s resistance after half-time, extending the German champions’ record of winning every European campaign opener to 23 matches.
The 23-year-old midfielder had endured a difficult pre-season after collapsing in friendly matches against RB Leipzig and Heidenheim. He was subsequently diagnosed with absence seizures linked to a neurological dysfunction, requiring a recovery period and adjustments to his medication. Musiala has since said publicly that the condition is not considered dangerous to his health.
Against a Bodo/Glimt side that had beaten Manchester City and Inter in the previous season, Bayern were unable to find a way through in the first half. Musiala changed the match shortly after the restart, finishing clinically after Harry Kane created the opening. The strike was Bayern’s 900th in European Cup and Champions League history, leaving them second only to Real Madrid in the competition’s all-time scoring standings.
It was also Musiala’s first competitive goal since scoring for Germany in the 7-1 World Cup win over Curacao in 2026. Having returned to the Champions League starting line-up, he said he was delighted to score and felt he was gradually regaining his usual rhythm. He credited the support offered by Vincent Kompany and his Bayern team-mates during his absence.
Kompany said the goal had been warmly received by those inside the 75,000-capacity stadium as well as supporters watching from home. The Bayern coach described it as an important moment for Musiala and said the club hoped attention could now turn principally to the player’s football, while maintaining its support around his medical situation.
Kane, who supplied the assist, said he was especially pleased to see Musiala smiling again after a testing start to the season. The England captain pointed to the midfielder’s sharpness and appetite in training, adding that those qualities had been evident in Bayern’s attacking play even before the goal arrived.
Musiala targets a gradual return to his best
Musiala is not setting a fixed timetable for reaching full form, instead stressing the importance of taking the next stage of his comeback steadily. He said his immediate aim was to enjoy playing again, produce performances step by step and recover his highest level.
For Bayern, his return adds another major attacking option as their Champions League campaign develops. The opening-night victory preserved a long-standing European record, but Musiala’s successful return from a challenging medical period was the defining outcome of the evening.
