Sané stars, Bayern routs Schalke 8-0 in Bundesliga opener

The new Bundesliga began on Friday with eight-time defending champion Bayern Munich routing Schalke 8-0 in an empty stadium.

It should have been more.

Germany winger Leroy Sané starred and scored on his Bayern debut and Portuguese forward Gonçalo Paciência started for Schalke, but otherwise it was business as usual as the Bavarian powerhouse totally dominated and the visitors tried limiting the damage.

Bayern's Leroy Mane, left, celebrates his team's fourth goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 in Munich, Germany, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

Serge Gnabry scored a hat tick and Sané set up two of the goals. It was 3-0 by halftime and Bayern missed a host of chances.

“Everyone was so hungry. We were all looking forward to the new start and we just wanted to attack,” Sané said.

The game took place without fans despite plans for 7,500 spectators to attend. A spike in local coronavirus infections forced local authorities to row back.

Bayern's Thomas Mueller celebrates after scoring his team's sixth goal, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 in Munich, Germany, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

“It’s a really big blow. We were really looking forward to our fans,” Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić said before kickoff.

The team showed no ill effect from the supporters’ absence, nor the short break of 26 days after winning the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Gnabry got Bayern off to a flying start in the fourth minute, taking Joshua Kimmich’s pass from midfield, switching direction to elude Schalke captain Benjamin Stambouli, then unleashing a fine strike with his left boot inside the left corner.

Bayern's Serge Gnabry, shoots to score his team's fifth goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 in Munich, Germany, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

Robert Lewandowski almost made it 2-0 a minute later after being set up by Sané, but Sebastian Rudy managed to deflect the Poland striker’s shot with his outstretched leg.

Schalke managed to hold out until the 19th, when Leon Goretzka scored against his former side with Thomas Müller laying the ball back.

Sané brilliantly set up Lewandowski shortly afterward, but the Poland striker fired over.

Schalke's Ozan Kabak, right, tries to stop Bayern's Leroy Mane, left, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 in Munich, Germany, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

Lewandowski finally got off the mark from the penalty spot in the 31st, after he’d been fouled by Ozan Kabak.

Niklas Süle -– a central defender -– struck the post and Bayern missed other chances before the break, too.

Sané, who joined in the offseason from Manchester City, set up Gnabry’s second goal in the 47th -– his first assist for the club -– and repeated the trick to help his Germany teammate complete his hat trick in the 59th.

Bayern's Thomas Mueller celebrates after scoring his team's sixth goal, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 in Munich, Germany, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

Lewandowski set up Müller in the 69th by wrapping his right boot behind his left leg, a rabona move, two minutes before Kimmich set up Sané for his first goal.

Sané made way for Jamal Musiala to make his second Bundesliga appearance in the 72nd. The 17-year-old English midfielder grabbed his first goal in the 81st.

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PARIS (AP) — French Open semifinalist Loïs Boisson has withdrawn from the Australian Open.

The 22-year-old Boisson has been struggling with injuries since a deep run at Roland-Garros last year in her Grand Slam main draw singles debut.

She has not played since the end of September and the No. 35-ranked player said she took the decision to skip the Australian Open to be able to compete “at 100% for the rest of the season.”

In Paris, Boisson beat top-10 players Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva before losing to eventual champion Coco Gauff.

“I tried everything to be ready on time,” she said in a message posted on Instagram. “But I know that rushing can harm my body and my health in the long term especially.”

The Australian Open starts on Jan. 18.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

FILE - Lois Boisson, of France, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis, file)