Bayern Munich endured a difficult end to a positive week as they had to be content with a point away at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. Since Bayern were reduced to nine men in the game, a 1-1 result looks a positive result for Vincent Kompany’s men. However, the draw at Leverkusen ensured Bayern’s lead at the top was cut short to nine points.
Kompany didn’t make several changes to the starting XI on Saturday, even though the team had played away at Atalanta three days ago. Sven Ulreich got his first appearance of the season as Jonas Urbig and Manuel Neuer were not fit for the game. Harry Kane once again started on the bench as Bayern manage his workload. Nicolas Jackson led the attack in the absence of the English forward.
The visitors looked comfortable on the ball in the first five minutes of the game. However, Bayer Leverkusen delivered the first knockout blow of the game. Montrell Culbreath dispossessed Luis Diaz on the left flank and found Patrick Schick. The 30-year-old forward played a smart reverse pass to find the run of Alex Grimaldo. The Spaniard unleashed a shot from a tight angle, but it was enough to beat Ulreich, courtesy of a crucial deflection.
Die Roten recovered well from the early setback. They were dominating possession and stitching some promising moves in the final third. Jonathan Tah had the ball in the net in the 24th minute, but the goal was chalked off as Tah had handled the ball in the box before slotting it in the net.
Leverkusen defended well and maintained a tight shape, making it difficult for Bayern to find space in the final third. Things got better for hosts at the end of the first half as Nicolas Jackson was sent off after making a clumsy tackle on Martin Terrier.
Bayern went into the halftime break a goal down and a man down, which set up a difficult second half for the defending Bundesliga champions.
Bayern dig deep to get a point in the second half
Bayer Leverkusen stepped up early in the second half to make the most of having the advantage of an extra man on the pitch. Former Bayern forward Malik Tillman had a glorious opportunity to double Leverkusen’s lead. Tillman missed the target by a whisker.
Sven Ulreich pulled off a brilliant save to deny Schick in a one-on-one situation. The German goalkeeper held his position brilliantly and made himself big to put off the 30-year-old striker.
Harry Kane almost made an immediate impact after coming on at the hour mark. The English striker closed down Leverkusen’s goalkeeper to push the ball towards Luis Diaz. The Colombian squared the ball for Kane to put it in the empty net. The joy was short-lived for Bayern as VAR suggested that the English striker had accidentally handled the ball while pressing the goalkeeper.
Die Roten’s perseverance paid off in the 68th minute as Michael Olise pounced on a misplaced pass in the final third. The French forward played a perfect through pass to find the run of Diaz on the left flank. The Colombian did the rest and levelled the score for Bayern.
Just when Bayern were looking to regain control of the game, they suffered another setback in the 83rd minute. Diaz was given the marching orders after he got a second yellow card for simulation. It was a harsh call as there was a contact from Janis Blaswich to disrupt the run of the Colombian forward. The contact was not enough for Bayern to get a penalty, but it was certainly not a dive from Diaz.
Jonas Hoffman had the ball in the net during the added time to give Leverkusen a late winner, but it was ruled out for offside. Ulriech came up with a tremendous late save to ensure Bayern got a point from this game.
Bayern struggled for the the majority of the game, but Kompany and the Bavarian faithful will be satisfied with a point, given what happened in the game.