FC Bayern Munich could have suffered the worst and most consequential Bundesliga defeat in the past eleven years with the 1: 3 against RB Leipzig. Thomas Tuchel’s team dominated the game for a long time. A loan player earned good grades, two other defenders made serious mistakes. Winners and losers of the game and the grades and individual reviews of the pros at FC Bayern Munich.
Here’s an analysis of the game.
Match winner: Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
For a very long time there was hardly anything to see from Leipzig’s super striker. But then he took the penalty to make it 2-1 and converted it himself. In addition, he made sure that Leipzig will play in the Champions League next season.
Match winner: João Cancelo (Bayern)
Manchester City’s loanee put in his best performance in a Bayern Munich shirt a few days after his former teammates made it to the Champions League final. Started as an attacking full-back, played a little more defensively in between, and then played at the same level as winger Kingsley Coman. His teammates looked for him very often, had the most ball contacts in the first half, often did really good things with the ball. Mohamed Simakan played dizzy in the meantime, who was substituted at half-time.
Not only gave the important penultimate pass before the 1-0, but even initiated the whole nice move. It has long been known that alongside Jamal Musiala he is probably the best soccer player at Bayern, against Leipzig he finally showed how valuable he can be as a team player. Is that enough to convince Bayern’s squad planner of a permanent commitment? Especially when the game ends up being lost 2-1 and the moment could have come when Bayern’s title series actually breaks? Or put another way: Is a convincing game enough at the moment of Bayern’s possibly biggest Bundesliga defeat in the past eleven years? So in the end he too was a sad winner.
Loser of the game: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern)
Had no problems at all with the game for a long time, on the contrary – until he blocked Nkunku in the 73rd minute and thus caused the penalty to Leipzig’s 2-1. The sleepiness of the entire Bayern team before the 1-1 draw could have cost Munich the title in the end, but Bayern couldn’t get back on their feet after Pavard’s foul.
Loser of the game: Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig)
Had the chance to audition for the German record champions in Munich, according to information from SPOX and GOAL, Bayern should take a serious look at the Spanish playmaker. But showed too little. Not enough to make the difference in a game like this, but also not enough to stand out in any way. Got down in the first half along with the other offensive players in Leipzig. Didn’t increase even after Leipzig’s performance explosion in the second half.
Yan Summers: His evening started out rather quietly, but after Bayern’s lead he suddenly had to excel four times in the first half. Four times he confidently clarified the situation. He kept what he could keep in the second half. Guessed the right corner for both penalties, but he missed the ball. Grade: 2.5.
FC Bayern Munich: Defender
Noussair Mazraoui: The same applies to him as to Benjamin Pavard: actually offered an almost flawless performance – until he caused Leipzig’s second penalty with his negligent handball. grade: 5
Benjamin Pavard: Actually made a very good game – until he knocked Nkunku off his feet and caused the penalty to make it 1-1. Missed the goal for Munich in the final phase. grade: 5
Matthijs de Ligt: Another very attentive and super confident performance by the central defender. He is and remains Bavaria’s best new signing of the season. Grade: 2.5.
João Cancelo: Thomas Müller kept urging him to start pressing further up in the Leipzig half. The more offensive he was based on it, the more dangerous he became. Was rewarded in the 25th minute with the important penultimate pass before Serge Gnabry’s goal to make it 1-0. Was wanted a lot, did very good things very often, acted almost level at left-back with Kingsley Coman on the right. Best Bayern player, although he also lost a bit in the second half. Almost managed to prevent the 1:1 as the last man. But just given is also given. Grade: 2.5.
FC Bayern Munich: midfielder
Kingsley Coman: Very often sought Cancelo, liked to move into the middle, but his actions sometimes lacked efficiency. grade: 4
joshua Kimmich: Was on the ball much more often than last time against Schalke, when he acted mainly as a gap feeder. Together with Leon Goretzka, he actually had everything under control in midfield for a long time, until he and Bayern were no longer able to control anything. Grade: 4.5.
Leon Goretzka: After his bench seat against Schalke, he courageously threw himself into the duels and balls. Received applause from the scene when he finally clarified a somewhat unsuccessful rescue attempt by Cancelo in midfield. But could only contribute a manageable amount to the game structure. Was already replaced when Bayern went under. Grade: 3.5.
sergeGnabry: Bayern’s top scorer in the final sprint for the title. His goal to make it 1-0 – his fifth goal in four games in a row – paved the way. Was actually very good in the game after scoring in a somewhat withdrawn position and can count himself almost lucky that he was already substituted when Bayern went down. Note 3.
Bayern Munich: attacker
Thomas Müller: Actually acted mostly in the only semi-ideal Müller position as a center forward, missed the biggest chance to date after 17 minutes when his impact could be cleared quite easily to a corner. Sent Serge Gnabry very nicely into the penalty area before he made it 1-0. Almost constantly drove his team-mates forward, but also missed good chances. grade: 4
Jamal Musiala: Prepared Bayern’s first big chance through Müller with a quick pass in the penalty area and later created his chance to score, but seemed a bit unlucky overall. Lost the decisive duels in the equalizer when nine out of ten outfield players had moved up too far. grade: 4
FC Bayern Munich: Substitute
Leroy Sane: Came for Serge Gnabry after 69 minutes and went down with his teammates. Grade: 4.5.
Ryan Gravenberch: Came for Goretzka, twelve ball contacts are not enough in more than 20 minutes of play as a central midfielder. Grade: 4.5.
Mathy’s phone: Came in the 77th minute after Leipzig’s opening goal for Kingsley Coman, had the 2-2 on the foot. No rating.
Sadio Mane: Came for Mazraoui in the final stages and couldn’t change anything about the defeat. No rating.
Dayot Upamecano: Came in for Cancelo for the last few minutes. No rating.
