Bayer Leverkusen pulled off an incredible comeback to beat Bayern Munich 2-1.
Xabi Alonso’s side started the match well, courageously pressing Bayern high up the pitch and stopping the visitors from establishing any sort of rhythm.
The hosts continued to dominate proceedings, getting forward frequently but could only fashion chances from outside the penalty area.
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Bayern took the lead against the run of play after 22 minutes, scoring with their first and only shot of the first half. The ball fell to Joshua Kimmich who struck a fierce effort which, with the help of a deflection, found its way past Lukas Hradecky and into the back of the net.
Julian Nagelsmann made a triple substitution at half time, bringing on Kingsley Coman, Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry with the German coach clearly looking for improvement from his side in attacking areas.
Ten minutes into the second half, Frech winger Amine Adli went down inside the penalty area and was booked for simulation despite being clearly fouled. The referee went to the monitor and following a very brief VAR check he overturned the decision, rescinded Adli’s card and Bayer Leverkusen were able to equalise from the penalty spot courtesy of Exequiel Palacios.
Incredibly, Bayer Leverkusen scored a goal under the exact same circumstances as the first. 20 minutes after the first penalty, Adli was once again brought down inside the penalty area and was once again booked for simulation by the referee. However, just like in the first instance, his booking was rescinded following a VAR check, a penalty was given and Palacios was on hand to convert his second of the game.
Alonso’s side had to withstand a late barrage from Bayern but ultimately held firm in the closing moments to pull off a superb comeback – a win which sees them climb to eighth in the Bundesliga table and three points off the European places.
TALKING POINT – THE TITLE RACE TAKES A TURN
After this weekend’s results, the Bundesliga title race couldn’t be set up any better if it was scripted. Borussia Dortmund head into the international break on top of the table with 53 points, Bayern – who have won the Bundesliga for the last 10 seasons, are in second place on 52 points. This match against a resurgent Bayer Leverkusen was a chance for Bayern to leapfrog Dortmund into top spot but ultimately it’s a chance they have failed to take. Nagelsmann’s men have now lost two of their last five Bundesliga matches, whereas Dortmund are yet to lose a league game since returning to action following the World Cup. To make things even more interesting, the first match for both sides following the international break? Der Klassiker at the Allianz.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – AMINE ADLI (BAYER LEVERKUSEN)
It was probably one of the strangest matches Adli has ever played in and given he was at the centre of the penalty drama. The Leverkusen winger did brilliantly on both occasions to burst into the penalty area before being fouled. He won 10 of his duels, provided two key passes and was a thorn in Bayern’s side all afternoon down the left-hand side. A confident attacking display from the 22-year-old.
PLAYER RATINGS
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky 8, Frimpong 7, Kossounou 7, Tapsoba 7, Hincapie 6, Palacios 8, Andrich 7, Demirbay 7, Diaby 7, Wirtz 6, Adli 8 Subs: Bakker 6, Hlozek 6, Fosu-Mensah N/A, Tah N/A
Bayern Munich: Sommer 6, de Ligt 6, Upamecano 6, Pavard 6, Kimmich 7, Sane 6, Goretzka 6, Cancelo 6, Davies 6, Muller 6, Mane 5 Subs: Tel 6, Gnabry 7, Coman 7, Musiala 7, Stanisic 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
15′ A HUGE SAVE FROM SOMMER! – Frimpong is found by a brilliant through ball, he chops back in past Alphonso Davies anf fires an effort to the near post but Sommer tips it behind for a corner.
22′ GOAL – BAYERN MUNICH They only needed one shot! Joshua Kimmich strikes on the penalty spot and it takes a deflection and finds its way into the back of the net.
54′ PENALTY – BAYER LEVERKUSEN – A fantastic example of VAR working and working well. The referee missed the foul, quickly checked the monitor, overturned the original decision and Bayer now have a penalty.
56′ GOAL – BAYER LEVERKUSEN – Exequiel Palacios converts from the penalty spot and Leverkusen are level.
73′ GOAL – BAYER LEVERKUSEN – Palacios once again makes no mistake from the spot!
KEY STAT
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have won both of their Bundesliga games against league leaders this season (also 5-0 against Union Berlin on MD13) – no other team has celebrated as many such victories this term. (via Opta Franz)
More to follow.
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