Bayern Munich delivers a five-star performance against Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Bayern Munich hosted Fortuna Dusseldorf in matchday 29 of the Bundesliga. This match featured two teams playing for varied reasons. On one hand, Bayern were striving to retain their crown as Germany’s best club. On the other hand, Dusseldorf were struggling to avoid a drop this season.
Their previous meeting at the Allianz Arena saw Fortuna Dusseldorf earnings a point in a three-all draw. Hansi Flick’s men were in no mood to let this one slip. The league leaders took another leap towards their eighth consecutive title.
Hansi Flick made one change to his starting lineup. Big money signing, Lucas Hernandez replaced Jerome Boateng as the center-back. Uwe Rosler made five changes for this game. Mathias Jorgensen (Zanka), Adam Bodzek, Niko Giesselmann, Alfredo Morales, and Matthias Zimmermann made it to the starting XI.
The Bavarians reflected champions’ mettle from the onset. The hosts remained in control of the match. Uwe Rosler came in with a counter-attacking strategy as they defended in a 4-4-2 medium block. That was hardly a problem for a resolute Bayern Munich side. Dusseldorf were only allowed two shots in the first half.
Benjamin Pavard had helped Bayern to go two goals ahead after 30 minutes into the match with the second one given his name on the score sheet. Pavard’s first effort was Dusseldorf’s fourth own-goal of the season. The French defender connected with Serge Gnabry’s cutback pass in the 15th minute. Zanka’s hurried approach converted it into his net.
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Bayern continued with their dominant display. Robert Lewandowski looked sharp and determined to break his duck against Dusseldorf. His constant movement to drop deep and poach inside for connecting with crosses was threatening. With half time on the horizon, Lewandowski completed his Bundesliga set. Thomas Muller laid-off Lewandowski inside the box. A move initiated by Lewandowski to release Joshua Kimmich on the right-hand side was finished in style by the Polish striker.
The second half began with a tactical change for Bayern. Hansi Flick substituted Hernandez for Mickael Cuisance. As a result, Kimmich moved to the right center-back role. Gnabry started to operate majorly from the right-wing, which saw Kingsley Coman move on the left flank.
With a better central overload now, Bayern used Gnabry and Coman to stretch Dusseldorf’s lines. The change started to reflect its magic. The hosts were quick to add two goals in succession after the first six minutes in the second half. Lewandowski completed his brace with 49 minutes and 18 seconds on the clock. Coman, 18 yards from goal, was quick to recover the ball and pass it to Gnabry on the right. The German winger squared it for Lewandowski’s second goal of the night.
Two minutes later, Alphonso Davies made it five for Bayern Munich. The Canadian won a tackle at the edge of the box. He dribbled past two defenders before placing it between Florian Kastenmeier’s legs with an xG of 0.47.
Fortuna Dusseldorf were mere spectators in this match. They had only two good chances in the second half, but there was no way to get past Manuel Neuer. Andre Hoffmann connected well with Zimmermann’s cross at the hour mark. Unfortunately, his effort ended on the roof of the net. Four minutes later, Niko Giesselmann tried his luck from a distance, but Neuer handled it with aplomb.
Die Roten seems to have placed one hand on the Meisterschale with a five-star performance against Fortuna Dusseldorf. The pressure is now on Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig who have yet to play their games from matchday 29.
"Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)NeuerPavard-Hernandez-Alaba-DaviesKimmich-GoretzkaGnabry-Muller-ComanLewandowskiSubstitutes: Ulreich, Odriozola (Pavard↓ (62′)), Martínez, Cuisance (Hernandez↓ (46′), Perisic (Coman↓ (62′)), Boateng, Singh, Batista-Meier (Gnabry↓(78′)), Zirkzee (Muller↓(75′)) Fortuna (4-1-4-1)KastenmeierZimmermann-Zanka-Hoffmann-GiesselmannBodzekSkrzybski-Morales-Stoger-ThommyKaramanSubstitutes: Rensing, Suttner (↓Thommy (66′)), Bormuth, Zimmer (↓Zimmermann (67′)),Ofori, Sobottka (↓Morales (57′)), Berisha (↓ Stoger (57′)), Hennings, Pledl (↓Sobottka (73′))"