Bayern Munich clinch late win against Bayer Leverkusen

Bayern Munich left it late to take all three points against Bayer Leverkusen.

Robert Lewandowski scored an injury-time goal for Bayern Munich to clinch a victory away at Bayer Leverkusen. Patrick Schick had opened the scoring for the hosts, but the Polish striker once again came to his team’s rescue by scoring a remarkable brace.

The hosts made two changes to the starting lineup from the midweek win against FC Koln. Daley Sinkgraven and Edmond Tapsoba replaced Mitchell Weiser and Wendell in the defense. Meanwhile, Hansi Flick made only one change to the starting lineup that featured in the 2-1 win against Wolfsburg on Saturday. Leroy Sane made way for Alphonso Davies in the team. The German manager persisted with three center-backs in the back four with Niklas Sule occupying the right side of the defense instead of Benjamin Pavard.

Bayern has made the habit of giving the opposition a sniff before starting to dominate the game. The home side was in firm control at the start of the game, dominating the ball and also executing dangerous passes in the final third.

Leverkusen was eventually rewarded for early domination through a wonder strike by Schick in the 14th minute. The Czech striker hammered a volley after he was found accurately through a corner delivery by Nadiem Amiri. Manuel Neuer had no chance of saving that thunder strike.

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Die Roten looked lopsided in their shape as there was no outlet on the right flank since Sule was operating on the right flank. There was an exciting battle on the left flank as Leon Bailey was looking threatening in the final third, but Alphonso Davies always kept him in check.

Bayern were progressing the ball well in the midfield, but they were not able to create clear-cut chances. They lost Kingsley Coman midway through the half due to an injury. Meanwhile, Leverkusen looked to hit on the counter by playing quick one-two passes. After Schick’s goal, it was an end to end game for the majority of the half. A mistake from Lukas Hradecky helped the visitors to come back in the game. He failed to collect a cross from Muller, leaving Lewandowski to head it in the open net.

The German Champions grew confident after the late goal in the first half and came back strongly in the second half. There were a couple of half-chances in the initial five minutes, but Leverkusen started to regain control of the game.

It was an end to end game for most of the game, where both teams were finding themselves in promising positions in the final third, but the final pass or shot was just not up to the mark. Both defenses had done a significant job in keeping attacking players quiet. Jamal Musiala made an impact after coming on after the hour mark as his shot hit the post in the 79th minute.

The dagger for Leverkusen came in the stoppage time. Joshua Kimmich robbed the ball from Jonathan Tah and played Lewandowski through on the left flank. The Polish striker opened his body and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to win the game for the German Champions.

This victory once again showed the never say die attitude of the team under Hansi Flick. They end a remarkable year with a big win. Bayern will be on the top of the table at the halfway stage in the season. It is now time to recharge batteries and prepare the second half of the campaign.

"Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)NeuerSule-Boateng-Hernandez-DaviesTolisso-AlabaGnabry-Muller-ComanLewandowskiSubstitutes: Nubel, Pavard, Kimmich (↓Tolisso (68′)), Sane (↓Coman (32′)), Costa, Choupo-Moting, Roca, Richards, Musiala (↓Sane (68′))Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-3)HradeckyDragovic-Tah-TapsobaAmiri-Wirtz-Baumgartlinger-SinkgravenBailey-Schick-DiabySubstitutes: Lomb, Demirbay (↓Bailey (74′)), Alario (↓Schick (82′)), Jedvaj, Wendell, Weiser, Gedikli, Bellarabi, Turkmen"