Bayern Strikes
Fansided

Bayern Munich mount a late game comeback to defeat RB Leipzig 5-4

By Benjamin Scott

Bayern Munich's Austrian defender David Alaba (L) celebrates with his teammates Bayern Munich's Spanish defender Juan Bernat (C) and Bayern Munich's Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara (R) after scoring the 4-4 equalizer during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Munich on May 13, 2017 in Leipzig, eastern Germany. / AFP PHOTO / ROBERT MICHAEL / RESTRICTIONS: DURING MATCH TIME: DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE TO 15 PICTURES PER MATCH AND FORBID IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT 49 69 650050 (Photo credit should read ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich's Austrian defender David Alaba (L) celebrates with his teammates Bayern Munich's Spanish defender Juan Bernat (C) and Bayern Munich's Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara (R) after scoring the 4-4 equalizer during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Munich on May 13, 2017 in Leipzig, eastern Germany. / AFP PHOTO / ROBERT MICHAEL / RESTRICTIONS: DURING MATCH TIME: DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE TO 15 PICTURES PER MATCH AND FORBID IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT 49 69 650050 (Photo credit should read ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Despite a poor start, Bayern Munich showed great determination to fight back and score three unanswered goals, winning a fantastic match against second-placed RB Leipzig 5-4.

Manager Grade

C+. May have fielded the wrong starting XI, but was saved by his subs and the pure determination of his players (who were surely inspired by their manager). Though this result means little, the Italian will certainly be proud of his squad for their amazing comeback.. Manager. Bayern Munich. CARLO ANCELOTTI

Player Grades

C-. Unfortunately, he was not the hero today like he was last week, but he his team did not need him to be as it turned out. Starke will be hoping to do better next week against Freiburg.. GK. Bayern Munich. TOM STARKE

C-. The little Spaniard was not quite up to his best today and the scoreline showed it. If Hummels turns out fit for next week’s match, this could have been Bernat’s last goal in Bavaria.. LB. Bayern Munich. JUAN BERNAT

B+. This was the David Alaba we all know and love. The Austrian is one of the most diverse players in European soccer. Was the best defender in red and fired home a fantastic free-kick to bring his team level. A wonderful game from David who has been out of form for much of the season.. CB. Bayern Munich. DAVID ALABA

Bayern Munich. JEROME BOATENG. C. For the most part Boateng was good defensively, but still looks to be lacking a step or two in his pace. Perhaps the German international has not fully recovered from his latest injury.. CB

PHILIPP LAHM (C). C-. The penultimate game of Lahm’s career was one the captain will be quickly wanting to forget. Out of respect for the legend, I won’t go into any more detail, but let’s hope for much better next weekend as Lahm plays his final game at the Allianz Arena.. RB. Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich. JOSHUA KIMMICH. C+. Was all over the midfield, but did not partner as well with Xabi Alonso in the holding midfield role as he has with Thiago in past games. Was replaced by Muller late on as the Bavarians searched for (and found) a late game win.. CDM

C. Like Lahm, Alonso’s penultimate game was one the Spaniard will be eager to forget. Looked particularly slow in the middle of the park and was unfortunate to give away a penalty and have a Leipzig goal deflect off his leg. Bayern will be hoping to send Alonso off in style next weekend when the club hosts Freiburg.. CDM. Bayern Munich. XABI ALONSO

Bayern Munich. FRANCK RIBERY. D. Was forced to leave the match with an apparent rib injury in the 44th minute to the despicable whistling of the Leipzig faithful. Ribery was poor before his exit and would not have played much past halftime anyway had he remained uninjured.. LM

B. A quiet match by his lofty standards, but Thiago was still great in the number 10 role. He grew into the match and never gave up, tracking back often to shut down Leipzig’s second half advances.. CAM. Bayern Munich. THIAGO

It is no surprise that Robben scored the late game-winner for Bayern. The 33-year-old Dutchman grew into the match and never ran out of energy. His incredible solo effort to give Bayern the victory was a thing of beauty and showed Robben’s importance to this squad.. RM. Bayern Munich. ARJEN ROBBEN. A-

Bayern Munich. ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI. B+. Lewandowski slotted home his first-half penalty perfectly and fought tirelessly in the second-half. With 30 goals in the current Bundesliga campaign, Lewandowski is now the first player since Gerd Muller to have three consecutive seasons of 30+ Bundesliga goals.. ST

Subs

The want-away Brazilian brought fantastic energy into the game and helped push Bayern to victory. However, Costa’s performance was nowhere near enough to warrant Bayern keeping him at the club with his demands.. LM. Bayern Munich. DOUGLAS COSTA (44'). C+

C+. Slightly better than the man he replaced, Vidal brought his classic warrior attitude into the match but not much else. Regardless, he helped press his team to a hard-fought victory.. CDM. Bayern Munich. ARTURO VIDAL (60')

Next: Bayern Munich announce their plans for Holger Badstuber

The energetic German made a fantastic impact on the game after coming on as a sub. Almost scored a goal of his own on a few occasions before assisting Robben for his game-winner. Perhaps Thomas would have been better suited starting this match in the place of Alonso, but with the Spaniard’s retirement imminent, it is understandable that he got the nod.. CAM. Bayern Munich. THOMAS MULLER (66'). B