Bayer Leverkusen take a big step towards the championship and beat FC Bayern 3:0 (1:0). Guests are hugely disappointing.
Some of the numerous international press representatives watched in amazement at what happened in the sold-out BayArena on Carnival Saturday. Before kick-off of the Bundesliga top match between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, fans hurled sweets and small objects onto the pitch, causing the match to start eight minutes late.
“The DFL has nothing to fiddle with here,” read one poster. It was another protest against the DFL’s investment plans, this time on the big stage. The German league summit was broadcast in more than 200 countries.
Both in Germany and in other parts of the world, viewers in front of their screens were surprised at what they saw during the game. The league leaders Bayer Leverkusen literally routed the serial champions from Munich and underlined their title ambitions with a 3:0 (1:0) victory over FC Bayern.
After eleven championships in a row, the shockingly weak Bavarians may have found their champion for the first time. Xabi Alonso’s team was superior to the visitors in many respects. Leverkusen remained unbeaten in their 31st competitive match this season and extended their lead over Bayern to five points.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel faces discussions
It was a heavy defeat for Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel. After this game, the discussions about his person will pick up speed. Before kick-off, he was still confident in an interview on Sky. “It feels like this is one of those evenings where you can take the next step as a team and collectively as a club.” But instead, his team took at least two steps backwards. In this form, Tuchel’s Bayern will remain without a title this season
In the first 15 minutes, it looked as if two teams would meet as equals, as expected. Leverkusen initially let Bayern have the ball, but the visitors were unable to create any danger. The NRW club then shifted up a gear, took the initiative and immediately struck with ice-cold precision.
Josip Stanišić, of all people, took the lead in the 18th minute. The player on loan from Bayern latched onto a cross from Robert Andrich and fired into the net. An attentive Bayern defender was nowhere to be found in this scene.
Bayer Leverkusen sign off Bayern superstar Harry Kane
That was the start of the home side’s best phase, as they began to play their usual high-pressing attacking game. Nathan Tella (23) and Jonathan Tah (24) had further opportunities. When Leverkusen picked up the pace, Bayern were often unable to keep up. At the other end, Alonso’s match plan also worked. English superstar Harry Kane was completely shut out and the record champions did not have a chance to score in the first 45 minutes. An indictment for Bayern.
Things got even worse for the visitors after the break. This time, Leverkusen did not wait and see, but went straight forward. And again, everything happened far too quickly for the sluggish Bayern defense. A one-two between Alejandro Grimaldo and Tella undermined the entire defense and Grimaldo gave Manuel Neuer no chance from an acute angle (50′). The national goalkeeper was fit in time for the Bundesliga top match, but had to watch helplessly as his team were dominated by a better opponent.
FC Bayern unable to create any danger
Thomas Tuchel then tried making a few changes. World champion Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich, who Tuchel surprisingly left on the bench at first, came into the game after an hour. The German internationals were unable to turn the game around. Leverkusen were closer to 3:0 in some phases than Bayern were to the final goal
Substitute Jeremie Frimpong hit the post in the 88th minute and then made his grand entrance. In the 95th minute, the winger scored into an empty Bayern goal after Manuel Neuer had moved up for a corner. Bayer Leverkusen were up in arms, they deserved to win. After eleven years of Bayern dominance, it now looks as though the championship trophy could be heading elsewhere for the first time on matchday 34.