Bayer Leverkusen has clearly won the showdown in the Bundesliga with FC Bayern Munich. The record champions delivered an embarrassing performance, especially in the first half.
The Werkself from Leverkusen deservedly defeated the record champions 3-0 (1-0) on Saturday evening (February 10, 2024), thereby underlining their position as favorites for the championship title. With the success, coach Xabi Alonso’s team extended their lead in the table over Bayern to five points.
Joshua Kimmich, who was substituted late, said after the game: “We missed the throw-in and then had to chase the deficit. We had big plans at half-time, but we were far too safe offensively. We couldn’t really think of anything.”
Sportschau, February 10, 2024 9:21 p.m
Of all people, Bayern player Josip Stanisic, who was on loan to Leverkusen, gave Bayer the lead in the 18th minute, and Alejandro Grimaldo then powerfully completed a surprise attack against advanced Bayern (49th). Jeremy Frimpong scored the final point with a goal from a good 30 meters when he shot from the right at the empty Bayern goal (90.+5) – keeper Manuel Neuer was in the opponent’s penalty area during a corner and fell there.
To the live ticker: Leverkusen – Bayern arrow right 21st matchday arrow right
Bayern dominated – but only for ten minutes
As usual, Bayern under coach Thomas Tuchel appeared dominant from the start. They seemed to want to dictate the action in the top game – which kicked off a little late by throwing “camels” onto the pitch – and apparently they succeeded.
from left Eric Dier and Amine Adli
But early on, Munich revealed unusual insecurities and weaknesses that are usual this season. Dayot Upamecano produced a candle in a defensive action, and a little later Neuer, who was fit in time, hit a goal kick into the touchline. Leverkusen smelled a match in this phase and took advantage of it irresistibly.
Leverkusen’s Andrich undermines the Bayern defense
First, Amine Adli failed in a counterattack by Upamecano. At the following corner, Leverkusen duped Munich’s backline: Robert Andrich passed sharply from the left through the penalty area at the height of the five-meter line, Stanisic ran unmolested and unnoticed to the right corner of the five-yard box and from there smashed the ball powerfully under the crossbar. Neuer had no chance here. Instead of celebrating his beautiful goal, the Bayern player on loan raised his hand in apology, but was still celebrated by his teammates.
Josip Stanisic scores the 1-0
The Munich team, who were now very unsettled and had Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Müller on the bench at the start of the game, showed no resistance. Leverkusen’s Granit The Bayern defense was literally swimming, Upamecano spied the ball off Adli’s foot at the last moment (40th).
No changes after the break
Only after Álex Grimaldo made it 2-0 with another powerful shot under the crossbar after a nice one-two with the pleasant Naham Tella did the Bayern coach react and bring on Kimmich and Müller. And Bayern’s actions immediately became more offensive. However, there were no scoring opportunities for Munich.
But on the other side: Substitute Frimpong broke through on the right and shot from a tight angle – the ball went past the goal on the left.
Final phase: Bayer manages the victory
In the final phase, Alonso let his team act more cautiously, but without letting them become too passive. Always waiting for a counterattack, Leverkusen were very compact defensively. In the 88th minute, Frimpong had a 3-0 lead, but only hit the right post.
Munich simply couldn’t find any solutions against the bulwark, had no ideas and even fewer shots on goal: the statistical value of “expected goals” for Bayern was 0.27. A value that was not thought possible for Munich.
And: Unlike most stadiums where professional football was played at the weekend, no tennis balls flew onto the field during the top game. Instead, Leverkusen celebrated: “Oh, how beautiful that is!” In the end Frimpong also scored when Neuer left his goal for a Bayern corner.
Leverkusen are now in Heidenheim, Bayern in Bochum
On matchday 22, Leverkusen travels to Brenz to face 1. FC Heidenheim (Saturday, February 17, 24, 3:30 p.m.), while Bayern will be guests at VfL Bochum the next day (February 18, 24, 5:30 p.m.).