Title race back on as Bayern win cagey affair against RB Leipzig

Title race back on as Bayern win cagey affair against RB Leipzig

Manuel Veth –

Bayern v Leipzig saw a return of the title race in earnest. The Bavarians made the best of Dortmund’s slip against Fortuna Düsseldorf collecting all three points in what was a cagey affair against RB Leipzig.

  • Bayern close the gap to six points
  • Frank Ribéry the hero
  • Stefan Ilsanker and Renato Sanches sent off

Bayern v Leipzig

Goals: 1-0 (Frank Ribéry, 83’)

Bayern took the initiative straight from the kickoff. The first chance came within the first four minutes after Peter Gulacsi struggled with a freekick cross from Joshua Kimmich that caused some trouble inside Leipzig’s box.

It was an early moment of confusion for Leipzig. But die Roten Bullen then managed to settle the game, and by the 20-minute mark, it was a balanced game. It was almost a bit like trench warfare at this point with both sides carefully probing to find an opening in the other side’s defence.

That first opening appeared in the 22′ minute when Leipzig broke forward with numbers, and Bruma managed to curl an effort from the edge of the box. But Manuel Neuer, criticised in recent weeks, was aware and held onto the ball after a wonderful dive to the left.

Bayern going the other way had their biggest chance in the 24′ minute. Serge Gnabry spotted Robert Lewandowski wide open in the centre, and the Polish forward only had Gulacsi to beat, the Hungarian keeper got a hand on the ball from where it hit the inside of the post and then rolled across the goalmouth and out.

Experience the Champions League and Europa League live! Book your European football travel now by visiting Nickes!

Experience the top European leagues live! Book your European football travel now by visiting Nickes!

Shortly after Bayern suffered a big setback, Gnabry holding his groin had to be brought off in the 29′ minute with Frank Ribéry coming on to replace him. The injury took the momentum from Bayern’s attack for a few moments with Leipzig producing two quick opportunities.

In the 35′ minute Lukas Klostermann broke into the box with Niklas Süle having to risk it all clearing the ball over the bar from close range. Dayot Upamecano then hit the crossbar with a thundering header from the ensuing corner. It was the final chance of the first half in what was at times a cagey affair.

Right off the kickoff in the 47′ minute, Timo Werner produced the first chance of the second interval. The forward was given to much space just outside his box, but his shot zipped over the crossbar in what was a led off for Neuer. Leipzig was then left off the hook in the 56′ minute after both Müller and Lewandowski failed to get on the end of a low Kingsley Coman cross.

It was Coman’s last action on the pitch as the Frenchman was surprisingly taken off in favour of holding midfielder Renato Sanches in the 61′ minute. With that substitution, Bayern voluntarily sacrificed pace on the flank in favour of more presence at the centre of the park.

With Ribéry and Renato Sanches pressing more in the centre the fullbacks had to press up and in the 74′ minute Bayern finally worked that space. David Alaba moved forward and played a fantastic cross in the centre where Müller got a toe on the ball but the ball skipped past the far post.

Bayern also had the next chance in the 77′ minute. Gulacsi produced another mistake after a freekick flopping the ball straight to Süle but the defender was almost surprised by the chance and hit the ball over the crossbar. Just two minutes later in the 79′ minute Gulacsi, however, highlighted that he can be a great keeper when he made a fantastic stop from a close-range Kimmich header.

In the 83′ minute, Bayern’s goal finally arrived. Renato Sanches muscled the ball into the box, his shot was stopped by Gulacsi, but Upamecano’s shocking clearance fell to Ribéry’s feet, and the Frenchman made no mistake to score with a close-range shot.

On balance it was a deserved lead by the Bavarians and while Leipzig tried to push for the equaliser never could get back into the match. But there was still drama as Stefan Ilsanker, who was only brought on in the 81′ minute, was sent off with a straight red card after a horrendous tackle against Thiago. Following the tackle, Renato Sanches was also sent off with a second-yellow after rushing in throwing Ilsanker to the ground.

Bayern v Leipzig  – Man of the Match

Thiago Alcantara almost had his leg taken off on that final minute tackle by Stefan Ilsanker. Thankfully for Bayern the Spaniard survived the challenge without an injury. Losing him at this stage would have been a massive blow for the Bavarians as the Spaniard delivered another impressive performance on Wednesday night. The midfielder managed to complete 89 passes (90.8% pass completion) and won 13 of his 17 duels to keep together Bayern’s midfield against an RB Leipzig side that was trying to push forward whenever they won the ball.

Bayern v Leipzig - Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Munich battles for possession with Kevin Kampl of RB Leipzig during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on December 19, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Bayern v Leipzig – Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Munich battles for possession with Kevin Kampl of RB Leipzig during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on December 19, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Bayern v Leipzig  – Talking Point

Have Bayern turned the corner? The result against RB Leipzig certainly suggests that Bayern are back on track and by closing the gap to just six points to league leaders Dortmund are asking questions at just the right time. But at the same time, this was a match on a knife-edge that could have also gone the other way.

Bayern v Leipzig  – Match Stats

  • Ralf Rangnick has lost his last five matches in all competitions as a manager vs FC Bayern. His last win against Bayern was in March 2005 with Schalke 04 (1-0 H).
  • Frank Ribery has scored in 12 consecutive Bundesliga seasons at least two goals – for FC Bayern only Klaus Augenthaler (also 12) and Gerd Müller (14) managed to do this.
  • Mats Hummels played his 100th game for Bayern tonight.

Bayern v Leipzig  – Line-ups

Bayern München:

Formation: 4-2-2-2

Neuer – Alaba, Hummels, Süle, Kimmich – Goretzka, Thiago – Coman (Renato Sanches, 61′, sent off 92′), Gnabry (Ribéry, 29′) – Müller (Javi Martínez, 90′), Lewandowski

Coach: Niko Kovac

RB Leipzig:

Formation: 4-2-2-2

Gulacsi – Halstenberg, Upamecano, Konaté, Klostermann – Kampl, Demme – Bruma (Ilsanker, 81′, sent off 92′), Laimer – Poulsen (Augustin, 89′), Werner

Coach: Ralf Rangnick


Manuel Veth is the owner and Editor in Chief of the Futbolgrad Network. He also works as a freelance journalist and among others works for the Bundesliga and Pro Soccer USA. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London, and his thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States,” which is available HERE. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada.  Follow Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth.

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 0
DISQUS: 0