Bayern Munich cruised to a 4-0 away win over lowly Heidenheim on Sunday, restoring their nine-point lead atop the table in Harry Kane’s first match as captain.
Borussia Dortmund had cut the gap to the leaders to six points on Friday, but Bayern dominated the final Bundesliga match before the winter break, winning courtesy of goals from Josip Stanisic, Michael Olise, Luis Diaz, and Kane.
Kane had an “amazing year” in 2025 by winning his first league title, telling DAZN, “We started to build a spirit and a team energy that is hard to break, and we took that into this season.
“We know there’s a long way to go until the end of the season, but we’re doing all the right things.”
Bayern landed in Heidenheim without nearly its entire starting lineup, including Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Konrad Laimer, Nicolas Jackson, Kim Min-jae, and Aleksandar Pavlovic, who were out due to injury, suspension, or Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Only two outfield players on Bayern’s bench had previously started a Bundesliga game.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany claimed it “felt like a Covid week,” adding that players were slipping out one after the other.
“I’m proud of the team because it’s not a given to come here and put in such a performance.”
Due to the absences, England captain Harry Kane was given the captain’s armband for the first time in his 121st competitive match for Bayern.
Olise underwent eye surgery on Monday but had little issue guiding Bayern to an early lead, curling in a corner for Stanisic to score in the 15th minute off a Jonathan Tah ball.
Olise doubled up for Bayern shortly after the half-hour mark, with a free kick reaching Hiroki Ito, who passed it off for the France winger to tap in.
Diaz scored the game-winning goal with four minutes remaining, looking fresh despite missing Bayern’s previous three matches due to suspension.
Kane had missed a clear chance just after halftime, but he scored in stoppage time, sidestepping two players before sending a low drive inside the right post for his 30th goal of the season overall.
As a result, Heidenheim finishes second worst and is one point away from relegation.
Coach Frank Schmidt, a former Heidenheim player who led the team from the fifth level to the Bundesliga and the UEFA Conference League, emphasized his own achievements.
“I’m not satisfied. Not with myself, not with us, or with the coaching team, because we’ve allowed too many chances,” the 51-year-old said.
“It’s my responsibility to take care to make the team more stable than it is—that’s the first task.”
