Juergen Klinsmann might be almost half way around the world in California but it was impossible to miss the former Germany coach’s signature on the new-look Bayern Munich that destroyed Hansa Rostock 3-0 at the start of the Bundesliga season on Saturday.

Even though there had been friction between the Bayern bosses and Klinsmann during his time leading Germany, over the former striker’s ideas on fitness trainers, team psychologists, and modern offensive-minded soccer, Bayern have tacitly adopted some of his ideas and the new attacking style is right out of Klinsmann’s playbook.

And just as Klinsmann’s team dazzled the nation en route to third place at the World Cup, Bayern have put on a scintillating show for their fans and enemies with the new offensive approach.

Bayern are the latest German side to open up their attack, helping boost the game’s popularity. This weekend, all nine matches sold out with a record combined attendance of 412,477. 

Led by Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose and Franck Ribery, Bayern got off 25 shots at Rostock’s beleaguered keeper Stefan Waechter — about as many as in their first four matches last season. In the pre-season League Cup earlier in August, Bayern had crushed the three teams that finished ahead of them last season by a combined tally of 7-1.

In recent seasons and especially under former coach Felix Magath, Bayern seemed more like an Italian team, shutting everything down once they got a goal. It might have been good for the record but was a bore for fans.

Last season Bayern only scored 55 league goals, finishing fourth. That was 21 goals fewer than third place Werder Bremen’s 76. Even in 2005-06 when they last won the championship Bayern got only 67 goals, 12 fewer than second place Werder’s 79.

The second round of Bundesliga matches sees Werder host Bayern on Saturday. There should be fireworks.

Erik Kirschbaum, Berlin