FC Bayern have only met RB Leipzig 11 times so far – just as many as they have Barcelona or Manchester United, for example. But this match-up quickly developed into a real cracker in Germany and has already provided some impressive photos. fcbayern.com has leafed through the photo archives ahead of the match next Saturday night and have picked out a snapshot of each game.
December 2016: Full commitment required
That this promoted team would be tough opponents for FCB in the years to come was evident from their very first match. In thir debut Bundesliga season, RB travelled to the Allianz Arena on MD16 level on points with league leaders Bayern, and put up a strong fight. Philipp Lahm not only had to throw everything at it against the powerful Yussuf Poulsen. In the end, Bayern won 3-0, partly because Leipzig played with ten men for over an hour after Emil Forsberg was shown a red card after just 31 minutes.
May 2017: Thiago takes to the air
Although the championship had already been decided in favour of FCB, the match on the penultimate day of the 2016/17 season nevertheless turned into a spectacle. It culminated in Arjen Robben’s solo run to make it 5-4 to Bayern, the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time. During the game, both teams played great football. Among much else, Thiago tried a bicycle kick. Unfortunately, the Spaniard was not successful.
October 2017, Part I: Ulreich becomes a penalty killer
The first cup clash between the two opponents also turned into a thriller. The score was 1-1 after 90 and 120 minutes, respectively, so it went to a penalty shootout. Sven Ulreich, who replaced the injured Manuel Neuer, had already made some great saves in the match. Now he stepped into the spotlight. Time and again, the FCB goalkeeper came close, before he parried the fifth attempt – by Timo Werner – even almost holding onto the ball. FCB entered the last 16 and the celebrations suited the occasion.
October 2017, Part II: Kimmich does a Thiago
By this point, Joshua Kimmich had taken over the number 6 from Thiago, and Bayern fans were able to see a bit of what the Spaniard had done back in October 2017. Just three days after the cup clash, Leipzig and Bayern faced each other again and the Germany international acrobatically cleared a ball in front of Timo Werner with a side-footed volley to the keeper. In the end, FCB won this match 2-0.
Match 2018: FCB lose for the first time
It was an icy Sunday evening in March 2018 and FCB had to wrap up warmly at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena. Bayern initially took the lead through Sandro Wagner, but still suffered their first – and to date only – defeat (2-1) against Leipzig. However, Mats Hummels and his colleagues certainly had no reason to hide after their commnedable performance.
December 2018: Coman slams on the brakes
Kingsley Coman shows just how fast he really is whenever he puts on an FCB shirt. In the 1-0 win at the Allianz Arena on 19 December 2018, the future Lisbon final scorer had to slow down very quickly in a running race with Lukas Klostermann and slid down onto the turf. In clashes with Leipzig, full physical effort is always required.
May 2019, Part I: Volley man Goretzka
Superb and, above all, multiple goals have always been a trademark when Bayern and Leipzig have faced each other – until MD33 of the 2018/19 season, when a game ended goalless for the first time. In the process, Bayern tried everything. Leon Goretzka even had this volleyed effort, and whilst the ball hit the back of the net, a narrow offside position saw it not count. With a win, FCB would have been champions for sure, but they made up for it on the last matchday.
May 2019, Part II: FCB overcome Leipzig hurdle to win cup
Two weeks later, the teams then faced each other in a direct trophy match-up: In the final of the DFB Cup. The old and new German champions wanted to crown their season with a triumph in Berlin’s Olympiastadion. As is so often the case, Leipzig made it a really tough task. Thanks mainly to two goals from Robert Lewandowski in the 3-0 win, however, Bayern were able to hurdle this challenge and celebrate with the trophy at the end.
September 2019: The GOAT keeper saves his side
The games became closer and closer and the cup triumph was to be Bayern’s last victory for the time being. Three draws followed to date. The focus was often on the keepers, who usually showed their best side in the top matches. In the first league fixture between the two in 2019/20, at 1-1, a long-range cracker from Marcel Sabitzer fluttered dangerously toward Manuel Neuer’s goal. But the GOAT keeper, who was already on his way to the other corner, snatched up his left hand in a flash and made a sensational save. It remained a draw until the end.
February 2020: Flying Thiago Part II
Highly exciting and spectacular are buzzwords that are often used when Bayern and RB meet. One who stood for the latter in particular is Thiago. Whether it be great passes, finishes or even aerial battles, the Spaniard was always good viewing. Leipzig’s Tyler Adams was actually a little further ahead at the time, but Thiago made a diving tackle, put his upper body slightly backwards and tipped the ball away with his foot. Despite the final score being 0-0, it was an enthralling game. Incidentally, it was the last time Bayern failed to score in a competitive match. To date, they have managed to do so in the following 61 games – a club record.
December 2020: World Footballer approaching
David Alaba sends a cross into the middle and several Leipzig defenders and goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi wait for the ball. But Robert Lewandowski rushes in at the back. The Pole had scored in almost every Bundesliga match up to this Matchday 10 and was about to be named The Best FIFA Men’s Player. Just a few days after the Leipzig game, the big gala was planned. Unfortunately, in this incident he was not able to score and remained without a goal in the 3-3 draw. The joy was all the greater when shortly afterwards, of course, he still received the trophy to mark him as this year’s best player on the planet.
The stats and facts head of the game:
