Bayern Munich dropped points in the Bundesliga as RB Leipzig held the defending champions for a 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena.
The defending champions didn’t have a sweet return to the Bundesliga action. Bayern Munich dropped points for the second time in four games as RB Leipzig held them for a 1-1 draw. The inefficiency in the final third proved to be costly for Bayern in this game.
Niko Kovac was forced to make two changes to the starting line-up that featured against Mainz before the international break. Philippe Coutinho returned late from international duty. Hence, the Croatian decided to deploy Thomas Muller in the number ten role. David Alaba pulled out off the game at the last minute due to a muscular problem, Jerome Boateng replaced him in the lineup.
The Bundesliga champions started the game on the front foot, not allowing RB Leipzig to settle down by winning second balls and making vital interceptions. Die Roten were rewarded for their perseverance as Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in the third minute of the games. Thomas Muller won the ball just ahead of the half-line and fed the Polish striker with a lovely through ball.
Bayern started stamping their authority in the game by dominating the possession. They suffocated RB Leipzig in their half by pressing relentlessly. Lewandowski came close to scoring his second goal when Joshua Kimmich pounced on the loose ball from Peter Gulasci and delivered a majestic cross from the right flank.
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The visitors kept on piling the pressure on Leipzig as the home side found it difficult to progress the ball into the final third. Die Roten were handed penalty at 37th minute when Lucas Hernandez was brought down by Marcel Sabitzer. However, on the second viewing, it looked a harsh call and VAR reversed the decision.
Die Roten looked threatening whenever they went ahead. However, they couldn’t take their chances. Eventually, they had to pay for these missed chances as Hernandez brought Yussuf Paulsen down in the box at the end of the first half. Emile Forsberg took the penalty and slotted it past Manuel Neuer with ease. Leipzig were thoroughly outplayed in this half but still managed to go in the break on level terms.
The hosts responded strongly in the second half as they dominated the initial period of the second half. It was an end to end game as both teams were looking devastating in the transition. Kingsley Coman had the chance to give Die Roten the lead on 51st minute, but his shot was blocked brilliantly by Ibrahima Konate.
The Bavarians lost all the control of the game as Leipzig was dominating the possession and winning every duel. Timo Werner came close to scoring Leipzig’s second goal as his audacious backheel was inches away from the target. Sabitzer forced Neuer to pull off an outstanding save as the Austrian midfielder unleashed a vicious strike from outside the box.
Kovac decided to make changes at the stroke of the hour to regain control of the game. Corentin Tolisso and Alphonso Davies replaced Muller and Serge Gnabry respectively. The substitutes immediately combined in the final third, but Gulasci comfortably saved the attempt from Tolisso.
Kingsley Coman was Bayern’s best player in the final third. The Frenchman caused a lot of problems to Leipzig’s defense. His deflected shot hit the post in the 76th minute. The two sides canceled out each other in the rest of the half. Werner forced Neuer to make a superb save in the final minute of the regular time, while Sule hit the woodwork in the injury time.
Bayern will be kicking themselves after not making their domination count in the first half as Leipzig was always going to respond strongly in the second half. The defending champions slipped to third position after this result.