Bayern Munich Fail to Capitalize on Chances Against Bayer Leverkusen

C+. With the second leg of Bayern Munich’s champions league match at Real Madrid looming just around the corner, Ancelotti opted to rotate his squad fairly heavily. Unluckily for him, Golden Boy Renato Sanches remained on the bench for this match that seemed to be begging for him to participate. Carlo cannot be blamed for his team’s lack of confidence in front of goal, but the fact remains that the selected squad failed to score and could have played much better. Ancelotti will need to be at his tactical best this upcoming Tuesday, as a performance similar to Saturday’s will be nowhere near good enough for Die Roten.. Manager. Bayern Munich. CARLO ANCELOTTI

B. Considerably less busy than this past Wednesday, the German international was still ready when called upon and secured yet another clean sheet–his 14th of the season.. GK. Bayern Munich. MANUEL NEUER

B-. The Spanish left back always seems more comfortable when attacking than defending, and that proved to be the case yet again today. Worked well in tandem with Kingsley Coman on the left, but the threat of the two never yielded any end product.. LB. Bayern Munich. JUAN BERNAT

C+. After making the difference midweek (not in the way I’m sure he would have liked), Javi Martinez enjoyed a relatively quiet match, but proved solid defensively. Bayern Munich will be hoping that the Spaniard is alright after he left the match in the 71st minute with an apparent injury.. CB. Bayern Munich. JAVI MARTINEZ

Bayern Munich. DAVID ALABA. B-. The Austrian defender proved his versatility, filling in at center back as the team goes through a small “injury crisis” reminiscent of the 3 years under Pep Guardiola. Alaba slotted into the center of defense perfectly and was quick to shut down any advance made by the Leverkusen attack.. CB

B+. The little Brazilian gave one of his best displays in recent memory, deputizing wonderfully for his rested teammate and captain, Philipp Lahm. Rafinha had 112 touches and made 8 tackles and 3 interceptions, all three of which were a game high for the Bavarians. With the future of Bayern Munich’s right back position so uncertain, it is good to remember the solid back up the team has in their ranks.. RB. Bayern Munich. RAFINHA

CDM. Bayern Munich. ARTURO VIDAL. C. In an unbelievable sight, Arturo Vidal actually seemed tired throughout the match, firing multiple shots off target. Bayern’s “warrior” still gave 100% and enjoyed a decent match, but perhaps Ancelotti would have been better off playing Sanches in his stead.

B+. Joshua sprinted tirelessly around the pitch, tracking back to contribute defensively or surging forward to provide an outlet in the attack. The German wunderkind no doubt had a point to prove, and he proved it quite well. Kimmich controlled the midfield expertly and showed that he should be in contention for a starting position every week.. CDM. Bayern Munich. JOSHUA KIMMICH

B-. Other than one slip up, the French winger played a great game. His tame shot after a great pass from Muller was saved by Leno, when the keeper should have had no chance on it. Like his fellow offensive teammates, Coman had no luck converting his chances and saw many of the chances he set up get sent either wide or straight into the arms of Bernd Leno.. LM. Bayern Munich. KINGSLEY COMAN

CAM. Bayern Munich. THIAGO . C+. Bayern Munich’s midfield maestro got off to a quick start and continued to be a nuisance to the Leverkusen defense throughout the match. However, even he could not create a goal for the Bavarians despite his stellar form.

Bayern Munich. DOUGLAS COSTA. D. Yet another abysmal showing from the Brazilian winger, who seems to have lost all of his touch over the last few months. Costa was virtually non-existent throughout all 90 minutes (he had 27 touches–less than any other player for Bayern, including all the subs and Manuel Neuer) and will have to severely step up his game if he is to take the place of either Robben or Ribery.. RM

Yet another disappointing outing in front of goal for everyone’s favorite Bavarian. Poor Muller just could not make things work for him and will be anxiously awaiting the return of Lewandowski so that he can go back to playing in his more natural, free-moving position behind the striker.. ST. Bayern Munich. THOMAS MULLER. C-

C. Replaced the underperforming Costa on the right, but could not do anything himself to put the ball in the back of the net.. RM. Bayern Munich. ARJEN ROBBEN (59')

C. Why Ancelotti took out Coman to put in Alonso is a bit confusing, but he did. All the Spanish legend did was add to a crowded midfield, and ensure that Leverkusen–already down a man–would not score on the Bavarians.. CDM. Bayern Munich. XABI ALONSO (69')

Der Kapitan replaced the injured Javi Martinez to help solidify the Bayern defense and almost scored one of his own, but could not provide the finish.. RB. Bayern Munich. PHILIPP LAHM (71'). C