Bayern Munich: Player ratings from dramatic victory over Bayer Leverkusen

Player ratings from Bayern Munich’s 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

The final match of 2020 for Bayern Munich produced a dramatic ending. Robert Lewandowski’s second-half stoppage-time goal lifted Bayern to a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen to go top of the Bundesliga. After going down a goal in the 14th minute, Die Roten battled their way back to claim all three points on the road. Here are the player ratings from their ninth victory of the 2020/21 Bundesliga season.

Manager Rating

Hansi Flick, 8/10

Bayern entered this week with matches against two clubs who had yet to suffer a defeat in the Bundesliga. In both fixtures, Bayern handed their opponents their first defeats of the season. This was not an easy task to complete but Flick was able to navigate the difficult schedule and help guide Bayern to maximum points this week.

Flick went with a few changes to the lineup in this fixture against Leverkusen and it may have not been a dominant victory but the result they needed was achieved. Although Bayern hasn’t been dominating their opponents in the Bundesliga, credit is due to Flick for getting Bayern to the top of the table entering 2021 and topping their group in the UEFA Champions League. It has been a nonstop schedule since September for his players and he’s done the best he could with what has occurred with injuries and managing the general fatigue of the marathon of fixtures.

Player Ratings

GK, Manuel Neuer-7/10

There wasn’t anything Neuer could have done to stop Patrik Schick’s goal for Leverkusen. His volley was a world-class strike and Neuer was left rooted to the spot. The Bayern goalkeeper went on to make two saves in the match and was not called into action to make any late saves as he did against Wolfsburg just a few days prior.

CB, Jerome Boateng-7/10

Boateng helped keep Leverkusen at bay after their early goal from Schick. He would finish with three tackles, three aerials won, and two blocked shots. One of his best moments from the match was when he poked the ball away from Moussa Diaby in the 79th minute when the Frenchman appeared he was about to unleash a shot.

RB Niklas Süle-7/10

In a rare appearance at right back, Süle fared quite well considering it is not his usual position. The German defender led Bayern in tackles with four. Süle also registered one clearance and one blocked shot. He had a key block on a shot in the 30th minute and forced Diaby to shoot wide in the 22nd minute.

CB, Lucas Hernandez-7/10

Hernandez occupied a center back role in this match and registered a team-high five clearances in the victory. Even if wasn’t playing as a left back, Hernandez still drew the most fouls as he was fouled a team-high three times during the match.

LB, Alphonso Davies-7/10

Davies had his best performance for Bayern since returning from injury in this match. He did well to defend the very quick Leon Bailey and got involved in the attack as well. The Canadian left back nearly set up a goal by Jamal Musiala in the 79th minute and finished with three key passes. Defensively, he recorded two tackles and one interception.