Bayer Leverkusen Munich has no chance
Leverkusen humiliates Bayern in the top game
As of: 8:58 p.m. | Reading time: 3 minutes
Bayer Leverkusen leads FC Bayern Munich in the top game of the Bundesliga. The Munich team had no chance for over 90 minutes and deserved to lose by a lot. The last action of the game completes the humiliation of the record champions.
For Bayer Leverkusen, the dream of the first German championship is becoming more real, while FC Bayern Munich is threatened with the end of their unprecedented title series: thanks to the well-deserved 3-0 (1-0) in the top game of the Bundesliga, the lead of coach Xabi Alonso’s team has increased the record champion has grown to an impressive five points. After 27 wins in 31 competitive games this season, Leverkusen is still unbeaten.
Bayern, who have always been champions in the past eleven years, lost a top game between the first and second in the table for the first time in 21 games.
Leverkusen triumphs in the top game against Bayern
Those: dpa/Federico Gambarini
Of all people, Munich-born Bayern loanee Josip Stanisic put Leverkusen in the lead with his first goal of the season in the 18th minute. The other full-back, Alejandro Grimaldo, about whom Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeneß said during the week that “no one knew him” until the Bayer transfer, increased in the 50th minute. Jeremie Frimpong (90th + 5) brought the final point.
Bayern coach Tuchel with a declaration of war before the game
The tension before the game was palpable. “Pants down and cards on the table,” Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel said. Bayer could have sold 180,000 tickets. But then the game started eight minutes late because the fans threw all kinds of balls onto the field in protest against the German Football League’s investor plans – and the football world watched.
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Bayern had the all-clear regarding Manuel Neuer on Friday evening. The national goalkeeper was able to play despite his knee problems. Joshua Kimmich was at least substituted on after his shoulder injury, Dayot Upamecano was used from the start because of his recovered muscle fiber tear. Winter signing Sacha Boey was in the starting line-up for the first time. At Bayer, Alonso made four changes compared to the 3-2 cup win against VfB Stuttgart. It was surprising that Frimpong, Jonas Hofmann and Patrick Schick had to go to the bench.
In a duel between the two teams that not only have the most points in the league, but also the most hits, the least goals conceded and the most ball possession, Bayern initially took command. Nevertheless, Bayer had the first chance when Amine Adli finished too hastily after a ricochet from Upamecano (11th).
After a quarter of an hour, Bayer found their way into the game and promptly took the lead. Initially, Neuer made a strong save against Adli after a save by Minjae Kim, but after the following throw-in and Robert Andrich’s cross, Stanisic was free at the far post and took the lead. He fended off congratulations from his colleagues – probably out of respect for his parent club – but at least he sent a thank you and a kiss on the hand to heaven.
Dream goal seals Bayern’s humiliation
Bayern were now off their game for a short time. Neuer prevented a quick 2-0 with good saves against Nathan Tella after a direct pass (23′) and against Jonathan Tah after a header (24′). Adli missed his best chance when he ran towards the goal alone, but let Upamecano tip the ball off his foot (42′). Bayern only had one viable chance before the break through Leroy Sané (43′).
After the change, Thomas Müller came onto the pitch as a substitute in the yellow jersey and spoke to the goal scorer Harry Kane, who had been completely out of the game until seconds before kick-off. But instead of the equalizer, Leverkusen’s second goal came quickly when Grimaldo finished with a shot under the crossbar after a nice one-two with Tella.
There’s no holding back from joy – Bayer is storming towards the championship
Source: dpa/Rolf Vennenbernd
A few minutes later, Tuchel brought in Müller and Kimmich. The Munich team gained more and more of the game, but were hardly able to create any significant chances. On the other side, Frimpong hit the post (88th) before completing a counterattack into the empty Bayern goal shortly before the end. Neuer had previously come into the Bayer penalty area for a corner.