Die Folgen: Bayern’s 1-1 draw with Leverkusen (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich put itself into a hole earlier with an uncharacteristically sloppy (and pouty) play from Luis Díaz
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- As much as we all want to see Harry Kane, it was the smart move to leave him out of the starting XI. Otherwise, Kompany kept it pretty standard. Lennart Karl got the nod over Serge Gnabry at the the No. 10 position (Jamal Musiala was declared out on Friday). It was mildly surprising to see both Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano in the starting XI, but that should give Kim Min-jae a chance to start against Atalanta in the Champions League next week. That UCL match should give Kim a good chance to market himself on a big platform if he decides to leave Bavaria this summer.
- In a rare misstep from Díaz, the winger was dispossessed by Bayer Leverkusen’s Montrell Culbreath. The Colombian did not hustle back to win the ball and eventually Patrick Schick found Aleix Garcia for a goal. Unfortunately for Sven Ulreich, who appeared to be in good position to make a stop, the shot deflected off of Tah, which changed the trajectory, and sent the ball over Ulreich in the 6thminute for a 1-0 lead.
- We do not often see that lack of effort from Díaz, but he cannot quit on a play like that because he was frustrated.
- Jackson had a great chance to even the game in the 9th minute, but missed the target badly.
- Bayer Leverkusen was clearly motivated, even after getting jobbed against Arsenal in the Champions League earlier this week. There was no sulking.
- Jackson made a good, straight run up the pitch in the 24th minute, but was unable to get off a shot that seriously threatened goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.
- A minute later, Díaz airmailed a good chance.
- In the 26th minute, it looked like Bayern Munich knotted the game when Joshua Kimmich’s out-swinging, free kick delivery landed right on Tah, who made too much contact with his arm/hand for it to holdup.
- In the 31st minute, Culbreath should have scored as Bayern Munich’s backline was scrambling, but his attempt sailed just wide.
- Tah picked up his 5th yellow card, so he will miss the Union Berlin game.
- Well, for all of the positivity surrounding Jackson’s performance in the Champions League, he was given a red card for a sloppy challenge in the 42nd minute. There was no reason to take that kind of risk. It was not excessively dirty or anything, but taking the risk was wholly unnecessary.
- Ulreich came up big with a stop in the 45th minute.
- It was not Bayrn Munich’s day. In the 53rd minute, Díaz had a great look, but slipped.
- Ulreich came up big again in the 59th minute. It was a fine showing for the veteran, who really stepped up to the challenge.
- Kane came on and also scored immediately. Blaswich had a total boner of a play with a poor pass, which deflected off Kane and went to Díaz, who then slid a pass to Kane for an easy goal. That would have been some divine intervention. However, for the second time, an arm/hand was used to create the scoring play. VAR rule that Kane’s arm was not in a natural position.
- Jackson’s challenge decision really took its toll on the squad, who fought like hell to try and find a way to get on the scoreboard, while continuing to shutdown Bayer Leverkusen.
- Finally, Bayern Munich scored…and it stuck! Olise slotted a perfect pass to Díaz for a quick, counterattack goal. The play started with an atrocious pass from Robert Andrich and the Bavarians took full advantage of it in the 69th minute.
- Díaz could have really been given a red card for a high kick in the 74th minute. Bayern Munich dodged a bullet there. He would however, pick up that elusive red card (via a second yellow card for diving, which was questionable) in the 84th minute. That play effectively ended Bayern Munich’s chance to try and win the game.
- In the 3rd minute of added time, Jonas Hofmann made a terrific run and received a chipped pass for what looked like a goal…but he was offside. To the naked eye, it looked like Tom Bischof might have played Hofmann onside, but VAR indicated that was not the case. It was the slimmest of margins. What an insane game!
- The game would end in a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich likely letting out a massive sigh of relief.
- Overall, this game was defined by a few sloppy (and borderline selfish moments). While it is tough to crush Díaz given how excellent he has been this season, the red card foul by Jackson was a killer — mostly because it was unnecessary and occurred so early. The extra strain, fatigue, and wear-and-tear absorbed by the rest of the team, who had to play with 9 men at this stage of the season is real. Take the point and run!
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Bayern’s interest in Eichhorn is legit (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
For anyone doubting just how much Bayern Munich wants Hertha Berlin midfielder Kennet Eichhorn, Sport Bild’s Christian Falk is here to tell you that it is legit — the Bavarians are going to take a run at getting the prized youngster this summer:
✅ It is TRUE: Bayern have communicated their concrete interest in Kennet Eichhorn to his advisors. He’s one of the biggest talents in Germany – and at only 16 years of age! This is quite something that such a young player can already be so helpful in his team. He’s so good, in fact, that Bayern are determined not to lose him to a rival (domestic or otherwise). Other clubs are, of course, focusing on him; Arsenal, Manchester United and some other Premier League clubs are among them. But there are also several Bundesliga clubs keeping an eye on Eichhorn’s situation. He has a release clause, which makes a summer move more than possible. Bayern Munich are thinking that if he makes a move to the Bundesliga, there’s always a chance for the Bavarians to get the player eventually. But if the talent gets lost to the Premier League, it then becomes a lot harder to get him back to Germany.
Eichhorn is at the same agency as Jamal Musiala. They’re always in talks with his agency. It’s not an offer, but Bayern have made it plainly clear that if Kennet Eichhorn fancies a move in the summer, they’re ready and waiting to make something happen. They want to be given advance notice if he wants to leave Hertha Berlin. They want the player – they don’t want to lose him. Bayern Munich are concretely interested. However, should he wish to spend another year in Berlin tending to his development, that would be okay for Bayern. But it would be unacceptable to lose him to the Premier League.
He’s a player that Pep Guardiola at Manchester City would also love to have and develop. But these clubs also need players who are further along in their development, like Felix Nmecha. I heard that Nmecha is really concrete as far as a move to Man City is concerned. Dortmund want to give the 25-year-old a new contract, but Manchester City are now in talks. If they can sign this player, then how do they also fit Eichhorn into the squad? So, you see, it’s difficult, and both are really interesting players.
Eichhorn is going to have opportunities, but his next move has to be calculated — and it has to be good for his development. He is going to get paid either way, but if he wants a long-term, successful career, Eichhorn must ensure he will be able to get minutes to keep his progress going.
El Mala has big list of suitors (SportsBoom’s Ekrem Konur)
FC Köln attacker Said El Mala reportedly has Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, and FC Barcelona interested in him, in addition to Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund:
🚨🆕 #Köln 🇩🇪
Inter, Tottenham Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Brighton, Barcelona chasing Köln’s young winger Said El Mala!❌ Winter: €25-30M bid rejected
❌ Feb 2026 → another PL club offered €30M
Guirassy, Adeyemi could be on way out of BVB (Bild via Get German Football News)
Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi could leave Borussia Dortmund this summer:
⚫️🟡 Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi are the players most likely to leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer. (Bild)
Dortmund hope to receive around €110m for the pair – Adeyemi (€60m) and Guirassy (€45-50m).
It seems as if there will be a fair amount of change for BVB during the summer. How the Black and Yellows restock their squad will be interesting. Will Niko Kovač be able to get his style of player in transfer window? #ScumbagGene
Kane talks set to commence soon (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Bayern Munich and Harry Kane are going to engage in talks soon. Per Sport Bild’s Christian Falk, Kane’s family is around and that could signify the beginning of talks for a contract extension:
It was very interesting to see Harry Kane’s brother, Charlie, and his father, Pat, at the match against Atalanta. They were sitting at the table next to Harry at the banquet, and both are his agents. So, you see that they are very close to the club at the moment. I heard that both sides want to start the negotiations now before the World Cup, as Bayern Munich are aware of the fact that he could get very expensive if he ends up playing very well at the tournament. You know, England have a German coach in Thomas Tuchel, so the chances are good! To be honest, Bayern already know he’s one of the top earners at the club at around €25m [£21.5m]. If he signs a new contract, he could ask for more, and then Bayern would have to pay that from now until 2027. If they wait, perhaps the salary could stay on this level, as Harry isn’t getting any younger! Perhaps he could earn a little more thanks to a signing-on fee, so Bayern Munich are starting the talks now, but slowly. They’d be glad to see him sign a new contract before the World Cup.
Wrexham to take run at LFC’s Robertson (ESPN)
Wrexham could be making a splash if it can pull off a move for Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson:
Wrexham are looking to push for promotion to the Premier League — they are currently sitting in six place to seal a spot in the end-of-season Championship playoffs — and will look to sign Liverpool left back Andy Robertson and Fulham attacking midfielder Harry Wilson as free agents if do, according to TEAMtalk. The team owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac could seal an unprecedented fourth consecutive promotion, which would see their spending power increase with a place in the top flight. And, as such, their targets will increase.
City, United to battle over Anderson? (ESPN)
Manchester City and Manchester United could be ready to do battle over Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson:
Manchester City have joined United in the race to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, but Rodri’s future will play a large part in whether or not City can sign him, according to The Sun. Real Madrid are watching Rodri’s situation closely, especially as the 29-year-old’s contract expires in the summer of 2027. However, Sport claims that Los Blancos are not currently interested in the Spain international due to his contract situation, injury record and the requirement of at least €60 million to sign him.
Anderson has also been (very) loosely linked to Bayern Munich. It seems as if that price might be too rich for the Bavarians.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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