Die Folgen: Bayern’s 5-1 win over RB Leipzig (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich hit the road to battle RB Leipzig in a match between two of the Bundesliga’s best squads.
Each team was eager for this game, though, as Die Roten Bullen had revenge as a goal, while the Bavarians
just wanted to bury a competitor even further. Ultimately, Bayern Munich would use a rousing second half effort to race away from RB Leipzig for a convincing 5-1 victory. Let’s talk about how it all played out. Here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- There were two choices that jumped off the page: Michael Olise on the bench and Tom Bischof at right-back. Neither was expected. Olise did have an off game vs. FC Köln (despite registering an assist), so it is curious if he is banged up, sick, or maybe just needed some downtime. Kompany would say in a pre-match interview that it was simply a move to rest Olise. As for Bischof, he is always willing and eager, but it says a lot about any thought Bayern Munich will play Raphaël Guerreiro as a serious option on the backline moving forward.
- Christoph Baumgarter, who is having an excellent season, almost put RB Leipzig up 1-0 in the 3rd minute, but his curling attempt went just wide. It was clear that RB Leipzig was more focused, hungry, and together than in the season opener. Baumgarntner, though, would not have a great game overall.
- Minutes later, Antonio Nusa missed a great chance after an excellent look from rumored Bayern Munich transfer target Yan Diomande.
- In the 15th minute Karl was streaking in and needed to trust himself more. Instead of a shot or continuing to use his dribbling to get closer, he unleashed an early cross that no one could get on the end of. For as good as he has been, he is still just 17-years-old and still have some learning to do. A little more confidence (or maybe some selfishness) would have done him well there. More importantly, he keeps putting himself in spots to make things happen.
- RB Leipzig was testing the makeshift Bayern Munich backline. Hiroki Itō just has not played a lot in the last two seasons and Bischof was playing out position. It did lead to some scrambling.
- In the 20th minute, some head-scratching play from Bischof hung Dayot Upamecano out to dry and led to Raum sending in a free cross to Romelu, who beat Jonathan Tah to the spot for a 1-0 lead. The play initially broke down because Bischof inexplicably went too far up field for a challenge and then could not recover to track the runner (Raum). This is exactly what Kompany was putting at risk when playing a left-footed central midfield at right-back.
- It is tough to question much of what Kompany does, but using Bischof in that spot was not a good idea.
- Nusa should have made it 2-0 in the 24th minute, but the Brazilian missed the target in a situation where it was just he and Neuer.
- Minutes later, Péter Gulácsi aggressively charged out of net to thwart what should have been a good attempt for Serge Gnabry.
- Bayern Munich was not bad, did not lack focus, and was not devoid of energy, it was just getting outplayed by a plucky RB Leipzig squad in the first half.
- In the 40th minute, Gulácsi— again — made a massive play with his aggression to take away what could have been a great scoring chance from Harry Kane.
- Xaver Schlager is such an unheralded player for RB Leipzig. Just a very solid player all-around.
- Bischof was just a mess at right-back and it was probably unfair to put the kid in this spot against RB Leipzig. This was not St. Pauli or Heidenheim.
- Aleksandar Pavlović and Leon Goretzka were poor in the central midfield in the first half, too.
- It is weird saying this, but aside of Kane, Luis Díaz, and Neuer, not one Bayern Munich player really registered a good half.
- Kimmich came on at halftime for Goretzka, who left with a bruise. He might have picked up a knock from a hard foul by Nicolas Seiwald. Kimmich, though, did not look to be fully fit in terms of burst and stamina, but was still very effective.
- Diomande should have been carded for a blatant shove to the back of Itō‘s head. It was a very questionable action.
- In the 50th minute, Serge Gnabry shook off an ineffective first half with a tough-angle, beautifully placed shot to knot the game at 1-1. This guy is looking for only improbable goals this week. Dayot Upamecano had the assist.
- Bayern Munich was much more assertive and aggressive in the second half.
- Neuer made an absolutely great save on Romelu in the 65th minute. Whoa.
- Neuer’s effort would end up being massive because just a few minutes later, Olise sent in a cross to Kane, who touched it down perfectly and unleashed a wicked shot that Gulácsi had no chance to stop. Just pure power.
- Neuer came up huge again in the 72nd on Diomande with another big save. Neuer was phenomenal!
- On the 82nd minute, Tah iced the game with a header that deflected off of a RB Leipzig defender on an in swinging corner from Olise to make it 3-1.
- In the 85th minue, Olise did it — AGAIN! He sent a cross through the box that Pavlović ran into for a 4-1 lead. Olise entered the game at halftime and had three assists. What a player!
- He was not done there, though! Díaz sent a cross toward the middle, which Musiala poked toward Olise, who perfectly placed his shot for a 5-1 lead!
- Conrad Harder’s header almost cut the deficit to 5-2 for RB Leipzig, but the post bailed out Bayern Munich.
- Overall, Bayern Munich toughed it out through a rugged first half and completely dominated the second half. Neuer was fantastic, but the subs of Kimmich and Olise into the game ramped the squad’s attacking ten-fold. What a performance in what was a very competitive game. This Bayern Munich squad is special.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Real still wants Haaland (ESPN)
Real Madrid has long dreamed of having Erling Haaland and will — again — make an attempt this summer to get him:
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has turned his attention to signing Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp while “looking for saviors” as the club is at “rock bottom,” as reported by Sky Sports Deutschland. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández is also on Los Blancos’ shortlist, but the club will face competition from Paris Saint-Germain. A deal for Haaland would be difficult to complete as over €500 million would be required to sign the 25-year-old, and Brazil forward Vinícius Júnior would have to be offloaded first. Another Sky Sports Deutschland report suggests that Real Madrid are closely monitoring 19-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward Christian Kofane.
There is only one ball on the pitch and some of the Real Madrid players are not always the best at sharing it — or even buying into a system where the ball must be shared (just ask Xabi Alonso). If Haaland can take anything out of the experience Alonso had, he should avoid the temptation to move to Spain.
Liverpool could make swoop for Schlotterbeck (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Sport Bild’s Christian Falk says that Borussia Dortmund center-back Nico Schlotterbeck will be too expensive for Bayern Munich if Dayot Upamecano finally inks a new contract. Liverpool could be willing to jump into the fray for Schlotterbeck, though:
“It is TRUE: Bayern’s interest in Nico Schlotterbeck has cooled. He’s too expensive at the moment if Dayot Upamecano ends up signing his new contract,” Christian Falk exclusively informed CF Bayern Insider.
“Schlotterbeck would like this move – his family contains quite a few Bayern supporters – but no, FC Bayern won’t go for him at the moment.”
Could Arne Slot’s reigning champions Liverpool be in the picture for the 26-year-old defender? It’s a possibility no one can outright dismiss. Especially given that the Merseyside giants are in desperate need of centre-back reinforcements between now and the end of the summer transfer window.
Between Ibrahima Konate’s contract future being far from certain, Giovanni Leoni’s torn ACL, and Joe Gomez’s injury proneness, Liverpool’s backline is in a shaky state.
So, Bayern need to be prepared for the very real possibility that the Reds may look to snatch Schlotterbeck out from right under their noses.
Galatasaray eyeing Silva? (ESPN)
Galatasaray could be looking to bring in Manchester City star Bernardo Silva during the summer:
Galatasaray have opened talks to sign Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva as a free agent in the summer, as reported by Nicolo Schira. If the 31-year-old is to join, City teammate Ilkay Gündogan could play a key role in making it happen, as he is one of Silva’s best friends. Gundogan has actually already spoken positively to the Portugal international about Galatasaray’s project.
Barca to lose top youngster? (ESPN)
FC Barcelona could be on the verge of losing one of its brightest prospects — attacking midfielder Dro Fernández:
Chelsea and Manchester City are leading the race to sign 18-year-old Barcelona sensation Dro Fernández, talkSPORT reports. Sources have told ESPN that the attacking midfielder has informed the club of his desire to leave this January by exercising his €6 million ($7m) release clause. Borussia Dortmund are also keen on signing Fernández, who has made five first-team appearances this season and is highly rated by coach Hansi Flick.
Despite all of that, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg says that Paris Saint-Germain has snared the youngster:
🚨💥 BREAKING | Dro to Paris Saint-Germain – DONE DEAL ✔️
Total agreement between #PSG and 18 y/o Dro as revealed today. Long-term contract agreed. Paris activate the €6 million release clause. Medical and signing soon.
Luis Enrique and Nasser Al-Khelaifi convinced him to make the move.
@SkySportDE
🇪🇸🇵🇭
Fernandes leaning toward United exit? (ESPN)
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes might be looking to leave the club this summer:
United players fear that Bruno Fernandes has had enough of the problems being endured at the club and will leave in the summer, according to The Sun. The 31-year-old could look for a fresh start following the World Cup after he admitted that former manager Ruben Amorim had persuaded him to stay last summer following a £100m offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal. Fernandes has claimed that he won’t make a decision regarding his future until after the World Cup.
To slide tackle or not slide tackle…that is the question (@SickosCommitte.org)
There is little chance that San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Piñeiro did not grow up playing soccer right? He went for the slide tackle and sort of remember halfway through it was illegal in American football. Regardless, he looked way out of practice:
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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