Takeaways from Bayern Munich’s crucial victory against Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern Munich went away to Leverkusen on matchday 30 and came away with a convincing 4-2 victory. With Bayern at the top of the table and Leverkusen fighting for a Champions League spot, this was going to be a tough fight for both sides. The result was not so equal. Having not lost since the return to action, Bayern is the best team in the Bundesliga and also looks like one of the best teams in Europe.
The offense for Bayern was once again playing at an elite level, while the midfield continued to look like one of the best in the world. It was the defense in this match that had a couple of lapses that resulted in two goals.
Leverkusen’s Lucas Alario opened the scoring in the match in the 9th minute after breaking Bayern’s offside trap, leaving him one-on-one with Manuel Neuer. Kingsley Coman responded for Bayern with a nice goal, after being played through by Leon Goretzka. Goretzka himself then got a goal in the 42nd minute. Serge Gnabry quickly followed with his own in the 45th right before halftime.
Robert Lewandowski closed the game out in the 66th with a beautiful header assisted by Thomas Muller. Florian Wirtz scored a late second goal in the 89th minute for Leverkusen, but it was just a footnote on what ended up being a poor outing by the home side. Here are few key takeaways from Die Roten’s ninth consecutive win in the Bundesliga. (Stats courtesy: whoscored.com)
Bayern Munich calming the storm
Leverkusen played the match with their typical high press. At the start of the game, Bayern tried to slowly play out from the back. It didn’t work as Leverkusen were constantly able to win the ball back after Die Roten defenders cleared the ball on numerous occasions. Eventually, the hosts found a way to breach Bayern’s defense.
David Alaba tried to jump ahead and create an offside, but Alario timed his run perfectly and put the ball past Neuer. After this moment, Bayern calmed down and adjusted their strategy by playing a much more direct style of play. This included balls directly into the forwards bypassing their midfielders and leaving Bayern in great attacking areas.
Leverkusen head coach Peter Bosz set them up in a 3-4-3 formation, trying to overload Bayern’s midfield, but when Boateng or Alaba played the ball to Kingsley Coman or Robert Lewandowski, it nullified their pressing and formation. Once Bayern changed tweaked their approach, the game changed, and they were able to rack up the goals.
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Bosz was unable to adjust himself, and by halftime, it was too late. Both Coman’s and Gnabry’s goals were from long balls bypassing several players on the field. It was clear that Leverkusen was outmatched with their tactical setup and Bayern’s speed up front proving too much.
A lot of credit should go to Hansi Flick and the team’s training at the practice facility. It was clear they had trained for such an occasion. Although they conceded an early goal, they quickly bounced back and got a sizable lead. This also shows Bayern’s resolve and mental toughness to go down and then come storming back.
Bayern Munich’s midfield continues to impress
Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka again got the nod for the starting lineup and proved once again that they are an elite pairing. The duo were some of the best performers on the pitch. Corentin Tolisso’s injury came at the wrong time because with Kimmich, Goretzka, and Thiago, Bayern has three of the best midfielders in the world for only two positions.
Before the coronavirus break, Kimmich and Thiago were establishing themselves as one of the most formidable duos in the world. And after the break, and Thiago’s injury, Goretzka has stepped in, and the performances haven’t dropped. One could even say that Goretzka has outperformed Thiago.
Goretzka was the standout player in this match, though, getting an assist and a goal. It was his pass that played through Coman to start the scoring for Die Roten. And then, his goal was a left-footed effort from the edge of the box, going across the goalkeeper into the far side netting.
The German international is the link from midfield to the attack, and this is shown with his box score numbers. One could make the argument that his presence on the pitch gives Bayern a greater edge than Thiago’s. With all of Thiago’s tricks and incredible technique and passing ability, Goretzka offers brute strength and goal-scoring potential.
The unsung hero and constant in this midfield is Kimmich. With Muller taking the responsibilities of the attacking midfielder, Kimmich thrives in the center of the park. Kimmich is tireless, and even when another midfielder comes on the pitch, he isn’t the one to come off. He is hardly rested for a game, and yet his performances don’t falter. Although he doesn’t get on the score sheet very often, he always influences the game, and that is exactly what happened against Leverkusen. And luckily for Bayern, he looks to only be getting better and better.
Muller and Lewandowski just can’t stop delivering for Bayern Munich
It may sound like a broken record here, but Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski are two of the best forwards in the world. Muller wasn’t able to score a goal, but he did get two assists, while Lewandowski got a goal. Muller is currently one assist away from breaking Kevin de Bruyne’s record in a season. Meanwhile, Lewandowski broke his record for total goals in a season. (Stats via Yahoo)
Both players are playing at the top of their game and seem poised to carry this side to great heights in Europe. Muller’s ability to find space and draw defenders out to open up lanes for other players is truly incredible, and no one has ever found an answer for it.
Lewandowski got the goal, but Goretzka was also sitting in the box waiting for the ball. Lewy called off Goretzka to get the goal, implying that two players were waiting in the box due to Muller’s usage of space. It also allows the winger to move inside and bring the full-back along with him, causing even more confusion for the defense.
And then there’s Lewandowski who’s finishing ability is second to none. But his effect in this match is much more than just the goal. Constantly he came back into the midfield looking to be an option to pass, so he could send the ball back downfield to a winger. The ability to be on the ball and not be a liability as a striker adds so much to an offense. Here’s to many more years of Lewandowski and Muller destroying defenses.
Honorable mentions for Bayern Munich
Speaking of Lewandowski and Muller, both will miss next weekend’s match against rivals Borussia Monchengladbach due to accumulation of yellow cards. It will certainly be interesting to see the direction Hansi Flick goes in when replacing the two players.
Will Gnabry play striker, or will youngster Joshua Zirkzee get the nod to start? And do Bayern go to a three-man midfield instead of a 2 plus 1 attacking midfield? The German manager has been flexible with his team selection when key players have missed games. Next weekend will be a good challenge for Flick to experiment with different systems.
It was great to see Javi Martinez and Thiago back in action. Both are returning from injury and slowly integrated into the first team. Hopefully, Thiago can reach full fitness soon and add an elite option to the first team. With Martinez’s future is likely to be away from the club next season, it will be good to see him get some playing time in the remaining games of the Bundesliga.
This was a good wakeup call for Die Roten. A stronger team, like one they’ll face in Europe, won’t let them back into the match so easily. Leverkusen likes to press, so this was a good challenge and a change of pace from teams that just back off and invite pressure. The current squad doesn’t let their heads go down after conceding one goal. This trait will help them to win big trophies in Europe.