Takeaways as Bayern Munich retain DFB Pokal against Bayer Leverkusen

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David Alaba, Bayern Munich and Kai Havertz, Bayer Leverkusen. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) /

Kai Havertz’s threat was nullified by Bayern Munich

One big talking point going into this match was how Bayern were going to set up against Kai Havertz, Leverkusen’s star forward and potential Bayern Munich player in the future. No one will question Havertz’s ability, but going up against a juggernaut like Bayern is a whole different challenge.

Last time when these two teams faced each other, Havertz was out with injury, so Saturday’s game was set to be a true test to see how far Die Roten have come since their loss to Leverkusen in December of 2019. It was a test for Havertz to see how he would fare as the main player against a team better than his.

Bayern won the battle as they completely nullified his threat. He had very little chance to do what he does best: be creative. Part of the reason Leon Goretzka was absent from a lot of the action since he spent time and energy marking Havertz. With Goretzka’s ball skills and new physique, Havertz didn’t stand a chance in that matchup.

Moreover, when Havertz took up positions higher up the pitch, he came up against a seasoned campaigner in Jerome Boateng. Die Roten’s wingers and midfielders took positions that forced the ball to go down the wings. Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby are talented in their own right and pose a significant threat, but when the central player is completely taken out of the game, the wingers are much less of a threat.

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Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz made a change in the second half bringing on striker Kevin Volland to ease the burden on Havertz. It worked for the most part, but Bayern’s midfield still marked Havertz tightly and didn’t give him much space to work except for a few crosses from deep range.

Volland did have a few chances, but he was extremely wasteful with them, which did not help Leverkusen’s cause. Havertz did get a goal after Alphonso Davies accidentally handled the ball. It did not matter though, as Bayern were already three goals ahead, and that being the last kick of the game.