Saturday’s top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash at the BayArena saw both managers rotate starting lineups, perhaps the absence of Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich being most surprising, with his last appearance on the bench being in October 2022. With only two points separating the teams before kick-off, potential title ramifications were on the line as Bayer Leverkusen continued their battle to dethrone the dominant Bayern.
Alonso’s side came into the duel unbeaten in all competitions this season, continuing the renaissance the Basque manager oversaw last season. However, did so with the Moroccan Amine Adli leading the attack, only his third start in the Bundesliga table this season due to the ongoing injury to star talisman Victor Boniface who has impressed since signing from Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer.
Embed from Getty ImagesTactical Shape
Xabi Alonso’s side set up defensively in a 5-2-3 formation allowing Bayern Munich the majority of the ball in the early stages of the game, whilst triggering the press on Eric Dier in an attempt to create counterattacks with a numerical advantage. This was shown through the 80% possession Bayern had during the first ten minutes, with two chances being created by Leverkusen via the press on Dier.
First-Half Battle
Former Bayern player Josef Stanisic broke the stalemate 18 minutes in, capitalising on a Robert Andrich cross following a swift throw-in. Bayern defenders failed to assess the danger, allowing Stanisic a tap in at the far post, with Neuer left hopeless to concede.
Embed from Getty ImagesDayot Upamecano made a crucial defensive tackle following another Bayer Leverkusen counterattack in the 42nd minute. Granit Xhaka, who has been a key player for Alonso’s side as a regista and an influential passer within the heart of Leverkusen’s midfield, played a sumptuous trivela through ball into the path of Adli who couldn’t escape the rapid Upamecano.
Leverkusen entered the half-time break, as valued leaders, highlighting Xhaka’s ball-playing ability to create intricate one-twos with wonderkid Florian Wirtz and the enigmatic Nathan Tella. Bayern Munich struggled to build chances within their midfield, perhaps missing the experienced Joshua Kimmich to break through defensive lines.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe lack of service towards Bayern’s attack was emphasised through the lack of touches from Harry Kane, who only managed 7 within the first 45 minutes.
Disappointing Response from the Bavarian’s
Grimaldo doubled the lead shortly after halftime. Another high press allowed Tella and Grimaldo to combine for a one-two, and Grimaldo finished into the upper echelons of the net, scoring his 8th Bundesliga goal of the season.
The high and wide players in Grimaldo and Stanisic, allowed more creative midfielders like Wirtz and Tella more space, as well as fewer defenders due to Boey and Mazraoui being preoccupied.
Despite Bayern once again dominating possession after the second goal, Leverkusen was more capable of creating goal-scoring chances. Bayern Munich struggled to contain Grimaldo and, the substitute, Frimpong after a formation change which saw Bayern revert to their more favourable 4 back formation.
Embed from Getty ImagesBayern struggled to bypass the formidable duo of Andrich and Xhaka, who pocketed Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane with relative ease. A succession of long balls from Eric Dier into the path of former Spurs teammate Harry Kane, came to little avail, as the best defence in the league locked out the best attack.
Frimpong With a Moment of Magic
Jeremie Frimpong sent Bayer Leverkusen fans into ecstasy with a long-range shot into an empty Bayern net following a Bayern Munich corner in the closing stages of the game, emphasising the exceptional performance Alonso’s men produced.
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Bayern’s misery was compounded by their lowest shot-on-target count for eight years, only testing Hradecky’s net once throughout the game.
Embed from Getty ImagesBayer Leverkusen’s to Lose?
This result now leaves Leverkusen five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table, and having faced their biggest rivals twice now, destiny is within the hands of the underdogs.
Image Credit: Александр Осипов from Ukraine, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons