While Oktoberfest was in full swing in Munich, the party extended to the Allianz Arena at a time when Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen crossed swords this Saturday. A shock at the top that looks like revenge for the Munich club, swept away last year by its Rhine counterpart at the BayArena (3-0) before being dispossessed of its German champion title. To wash away this affront, the current leader of the German elite, now commanded by Vincent Kompany, intended to win to relegate his rival of the day to six units. Opposite, Xabi Alonso’s gang, who are still looking for their cruising speed in the championship, were also aiming for victory to reduce the gap on the Munich residents. In this “Topspiel” of the 5th day of the Bundesliga, Bayern were going to look very high for their opponent from the outset.
Present on the first restarts, the Munich club admirably crisscrossed the field and played vertically to get around the Rhine block. The Bavarians put in the ingredients to keep the Pillendreher at bay, but they were unable to create any clear-cut chances. Following a free kick obtained at the end of a Musiala festival and captured by Hradecky (20th), Olise then stood out, but his curling shot brushed the crossbar of the Finnish goalkeeper (22nd). In a choppy first half hour where contacts increased on both sides, the reigning German champion, until now cornered in his last 30 meters, tempered Bayern against the flow of play. On a worked corner by Grimaldo, Xhaka was wanted in the opposite direction. With a clever delivery, the Swiss transmitted to Andrich. At the entrance to the area, the German midfielder started again with first intention to beat Neuer, masked by a forest of players (0-1, 30th).
Status quo at the top of the ranking
Stunned and trailing for the first time this season, Bayern found it more difficult to find space and make an impact, despite Musiala’s off-target attempt (36th). Then, the locals ended up reacting to a gem from Pavlovic. Guilty on the opening score of the Rhinelanders, the new German international made up for his mistake by deceiving Hradecky with a powerful shot from the left (1-1, 39th). Enough to make the Allianz Arena red with pleasure. In character, Bayern Munich logically picked up the score against a Bayer Leverkusen team generally dominated during the first act. Determined to strike a blow at home, the Rekordmeister got off to an interesting start and narrowly missed taking the lead. Wanted at the far post by Kane, Gnabry found Hradecky’s left post with an instant shot from the left. Immediately, the ball returned to the German winger who smashed the Finn’s crossbar (48th). A real alert for the reigning German champion who had a hard time getting the leather out cleanly.
However, his Munich counterpart was unable to find the solution against a low block from Bayer Leverkusen despite controlling the game. On a ball extended by the opposing defense on a free kick from Kimmich, Olise put himself in a situation and attempted a rebound that was pushed back by Hradecky (58th). Compact defensively and generous in defensive withdrawals, the Pillendreher closed the shop admirably. On the other hand, Xabi Alonso’s protégés were absent at the forefront, like Boniface weaned on balls. While the match plunged into a false rhythm, Bayern Munich tried to exploit the technical qualities of Olise, too short to catch a vicious pass from Kimmich between the lines (73rd). Pressing until the end like this fleeting strike from Laimer (90th + 3), the Munich team nevertheless broke their teeth on the last opposing curtain. Eye-catching, Bayer Leverkusen certainly obtained a good point away, but remained three points behind a Bavarian team still undefeated since the restart. However, we will remember the injury exit of Kane, injured in the ankle after contact with Tella, on the Munich side…
