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Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig share the spoils at Allianz Arena

By Kiran Thakare

09 February 2020, Bavaria, Munich: Football: Bundesliga, Bayern Munich - RB Leipzig, 21st matchday in the Allianz Arena. Serge Gnabry (2nd from left) of Munich in action against Lukas Klostermann (2nd from right) of Leipzig. IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to exploit or have exploited in the stadium and/or from the game taken photographs in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo series. Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images)
09 February 2020, Bavaria, Munich: Football: Bundesliga, Bayern Munich - RB Leipzig, 21st matchday in the Allianz Arena. Serge Gnabry (2nd from left) of Munich in action against Lukas Klostermann (2nd from right) of Leipzig. IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to exploit or have exploited in the stadium and/or from the game taken photographs in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo series. Photo: Matthias Balk/dpa (Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich held by a resolute RB Leipzig side at Allianz Arena in matchday 21 of the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich missed the chance of opening a lead at the top of the table on Sunday as they were involved in an intense 0-0 draw against RB Leipzig. This result meant that both teams retain their position in the table, with Bayern having a one-point lead at the top of the table.

Hansi Flick was forced to make one change to the starting XI that featured against Mainz last weekend. Serge Gnabry starts his first league game in 2020, replacing injured Ivan Perisic. Julian Nagelsmann also made one change to his team that salvaged a draw against Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend. Dani Olmo replaced Emil Forsberg in the attack.

Similar to the last three league games, Bayern got things rolling with great pressing and intensity across the pitch. The players tried to regain possession quickly whenever they lost it. Thiago Alcantara came close to scoring the opener by curling the ball from the edge of the box in the fifth minute. Peter Gulacsi tipped over the Spaniard’s attempt at the very last moment.

Benjamin Pavard and Alphonso Davies were a menace on both flanks. The full-back kept on creating chances by delivering vicious balls in the box. However, RB Leipzig stood their ground and defended well to weather the initial storm.

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Leipzig tried to hit Bayern on the counter, but the hosts were able to deal with it by maintaining a deep defensive line. They did come close to creating big chances, but last-minute interventions from Bayern’s defense made sure they don’t open the scoring.

The game’s biggest chance came just before the half time as Robert Lewandowski slammed a floating cross from Thomas Muller only for Dayot Upamecano to make a last-ditch challenge to clear the ball out of danger.

After facing onslaught in the first half, RB Leipzig bounced back in the second half. They had a golden opportunity to open the scoring when Manuel Neuer came off the line and missed the ball. Timo Werner‘s shot was deflected brilliantly by David Alaba with a sliding tackle inside the box.

At the other end of the pitch, Die Roten were awarded a penalty after Upamecano fouled Lewandowski. However, after video review, it was chalked off as Lewandowski was in an offside position during the build-up of the attacking move.

Leipzig continued to pile up pressure on Bayern. Werner missed a sitter in the 62nd minute when Christopher Nkuku delivered a brilliant ball in the box. The German striker was unmarked in the box and tried to hit it the first time, but missed the target by a mile.

Both teams settled down as half went on, fighting for every second ball. Flick made a couple of changes by bringing on Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Hernandez for Gnabry and Jerome Boateng, respectively. Nagelsmann also went for a direct approach by bringing on Patrik Schick for Olmo.

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The next biggest chance fell for Bayern in the 78th minute. Lewandowski linked up brilliantly with Leon Goretzka at the edge of the box. Goretzka got a clear sight of the goal, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Gulacsi. Both teams remained cautious in the final quarter of the game as one point was not bad for both teams. Die Roten’s six game-winning run in the Bundesliga comes to an end, while Leipzig remains very much in the title race.

"Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)NeuerPavard-Boateng-Alaba-DaviesThiago-KimmichMuller-Goretzka-GnabryLewandowskiSubstitutes-  Ulreich,Odriozola, Coutinho (↑Gnabry (60′)), Cuisance, Hernández(↑Boateng (67′)), Tolisso, Coman (↑Goretzka (85′)), ZirkzeeRB Leipzig ( 4-2-3-1)GulacsiKlostermann- Upamecano-Halstenberg- AngeliñoLaimer- AdamsNkunku-Olmo-SabitzerWernerSubstitutes-  Mvogo,Mukiele, Ampadu, Haidara, Forsberg, Lookman (↑Nkunku (82′)), Wolf, Schick (↑ Olmo (69′)), Poulsen (↑Werner (92′))"