Bayern Strikes
Fansided

Bayern Munich overpowered in 2-1 loss to RB Leipzig

By Guillermo Kurten

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Juan Bernat of Bayern is challenged by Ibrahima KonatŽ of Leipzig during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Muenchen at Red Bull Arena on March 18, 2018 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Juan Bernat of Bayern is challenged by Ibrahima KonatŽ of Leipzig during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Muenchen at Red Bull Arena on March 18, 2018 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Bayern Munich 19-match unbeaten streak has finally been snapped, as the Bavarians fall 2-1 to RB Leipzig in a lethargic display.

Bayern Munich had to deal with a pill they’re not typically used to swallowing. The Bavarian squad traveled away to meet opponents RB Leipzig for the third time this season. Quite frankly, Bayern just looked like they were tired during the match. Meanwhile, Leipzig played with a high tempo and intensity.

Perhaps it was due to the slight rotation and having to deal with a midweek Champions League match, but Bayern were simply poor. The midfield looked haggard and desperate to string passes together. Credit to RB Leipzig, however, as they looked hungry to prove a point against the German champions.

In the end, RB Leipzig gave their fans reason to cheer on the day as they beat Bayern Munich for the first time since their inclusion into the Bundesliga with a 2-1 win.

Promising start from Bayern, but it soon crumbled

RB Leipzig looked full of drive from the start of the match. They pressured Bayern Munich intensely in their efforts to squeeze out opportunities on goal. Despite this, Bayern managed to successfully absorb the pressure, at least in this early stage. Leipzig were surely dangerous and made the Bayern defense work.

This was particularly true for Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule. The two Germans were made quite busy in dashing away lethal Leipzig shots on goal. It looked to be enough for the moment. After all, Bayern managed to draw first blood of the match through a wonderful piece of play.

Just over 11 minutes in, Thomas Muller and James Rodriguez proved the catalysts for the first goal of the game. James caught an intercepted ball out wide on the right flank of the field. The Colombian then played a nice one-two with the Bayern Munich vice-captain and roamed forward toward the Leipzig penalty area. One wonderful cross later, and Sandro Wagner made himself big and nodded home a header to make it 1-0.

However, this lead didn’t even last for the rest of the first half. RB Leipzig responded as any team should to a sudden 1-0 deficit, with vigor. They ramped up the pressure on Bayern’s midfield and back line. After a slew of close calls and near-misses, Leipzig pulled themselves back into the game.

Nearly 37 minutes played and RB Leipzig started their clinical play from a throw-in. The Bayern defensive line was caught napping and blatantly left Naby Keita onside and with space. His initial effort to play in was miraculously cut out, but no one was able to stop the rebounded effort. Bayern once again looked vulnerable.

The pressure continued to mount on in the second half

Unfortunately for Bayern, things did not get any easier. In fact, they actually got worse. The Bavarians have often had a hard time dealing with high-pressing opponents. Across all games that Bayern looked like they were struggling, this was the most consistent fault they possessed.

RB Leipzig used this relative weakness to their advantage. The Red Bulls played a noticeably high line in their defense, which pushed their midfielders and forwards further up the pitch. This caused some intensive pressure to be applied on the part of Bayern’s midfielders and defenders, forcing common mistakes out of them.

That pressure would once again come to fruition for the home side. Just shy of 57 minutes into the game, RB Leipzig and Timo Werner proved to be the deciders of who would come away with three points. Once again, Bayern’s defense was exposed with Timo Werner set loose toward Bayern’s penalty box. Niklas Sule was not fast enough to catch up and properly smother Werner, and the young German striker unleashed a perfectly placed low shot into the corner of Sven Ulreich’s net.

The rest of the match saw RB Leipzig cool down a bit and recede more into defending their lead. With that, Bayern tried to come a bit more out of their shell and take some shots on goal. Arturo Vidal nearly leveled the score, but he rose too early to a header and only saw it float wide and over the goal. That in the end would sum up the match, as it was far too little and too late.

Next: Joshua Kimmich hopes to be Bayern Munich captain one day

Bayern players now go into the international break

It was surely a disappointing result and performance for Jupp Heynckes and co. However, it is not one worth mulling over, as their lead on top of the table remains daunting. Now, Bayern’s various stars will break for another round of international friendlies in preparation for the 2018 World Cup in Russia this summer.