Winner of the game, grades and individual criticism from the FCB pros

In defence, two very strong central defenders each gave away a penalty kick, while Bayern were extremely toothless up front for a long time. It got a little better in the second half, but the chances in the final phase were not used up front. The winners, losers and respective grades of the FCB pros for the 2-1 defeat against the Werkself.

Winner: Amine Adli (Bayer Leverkusen)

The match winner for the Werkself with the two penalties taken, and a constant source of danger with his speed. Curious: Referee Tobias Stieler accused him twice because of an alleged swallow with yellow – twice he had to apologize according to the slow motion.

Loser: Sadio Mané (Bayern Munich)

The FC Bayern striker found no connection to his team’s game at all in the first half. Sadio Mané’s devastating numbers: eight touches, no shots on goal. Consequently, Nagelsmann replaced him at the break.

Loser: Joao Cancelo (Bayern Munich)

After this game he was probably a problem child again: First very defensive and hesitant because he didn’t want to leave any space behind him, later then further up – but didn’t really feel comfortable anywhere. Constantly gesturing, with bad body language. Was it clear to everyone what role he should play in the Bayern game? At least it didn’t seem like it. The Werkself stood on his feet with the ball, but he didn’t get the whistle. Stayed out after 45 minutes.

Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern Munich: The line-ups

Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern Munich: goalkeeper

Yan Summers: When Demirbay took a corner kick directly onto the goal (10th). Against Frimpong down in the short corner (16th). Was attacked on high balls and corners, but remained flawless. Didn’t stand a chance with both penalties, but in the end held back well against Bakker. Grade: 2.5.

Bayer Leverkusen – Bayern Munich: Defense

Benjamin Pavard: In the build-up game several times with long balls because Leverkusen pressed so high. Wasn’t guilty of anything in the first half. But then caused the penalty when he stepped on Adli’s shoe from behind. Nagelsmann promptly replaced him so as not to take any risks – he had already seen a yellow card in the first half. Grade: 4.5.

Dayot Upamecano: In the first half still the best man in Bayern’s defense. Put the ball past Sommer, who had rushed out, that could have been dangerous (69th). A little later there was a completely unnecessary entry against Adli, which rightly gave a penalty after studying the video. Grade: 4.5.

Matthijs de Ligt: A few unfamiliar bad passes, also before the Frimpong chance (16th). But then bit more and more into the game and defended confidently as usual. Headed just wide in stoppage time. Grade: 3.5.

Bayer Leverkusen – Bayern Munich: Midfield

Joshua Kimmich: Failed to establish control in midfield in the early stages. Was constantly attacked by Bayer, was lucky in the first half that Demirbay still cleared him when he lost the ball in the penalty area. Cool end to the goal to 1-0, also blocked several times in the back. This time, however, there were no opening passes on the offensive. Grade: 3.5.

Leon Goretzka: At first he kept switching to the left wing because Davies played so defensively. Could have shot directly at 1-0, but then put a hard cross on Kimmich. He also failed to create physical obesity in midfield. grade: 4

João Cancelo: First extremely defensively, even when in possession of the ball, so as not to leave any gaps behind. In the course of the first half then pushed further forward and with a good cross before the 1:0. But otherwise inconspicuous, hesitant in the duels and without fortune. It wasn’t his weather and it wasn’t his opponent. grade: 5

Leroy Sane: A lot on the go, kept getting the ball further back to help Kimmich distribute the ball. Also made defensive ways. Offensive with a few attempts, but overall without a goal threat for a long time, until his long-range shot in the final phase (88th). grade: 4

Alphonso Davies: Against Frimpong and Diaby like Cancelo initially extremely defensive. Very attentive on the defensive, was able to neutralize the opponent’s speed several times. But offensively he had the same problem with a lot of speed. Hradecky parried his long shot well (88′). Grade: 3.5.

Bayer Leverkusen – Bayern Munich: Attack

Thomas Müller: First link in the pressing chain, ran a lot and tried to organize the Bayern game. But no goal threat. A few technical errors, if things should go quickly. After all, involved in the making of 1-0. Stayed in the dressing room at the break. Grade: 4.5.

Sadio Mane: Not a factor at all. The game passed him. Physically, he didn’t make a stab in a duel, here and there with standing difficulties and hesitant when he had the ball. Remained in the dressing room after eight ball actions. Grade: 5.5.

Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern Munich: Substitute

Kingsley Coman: Came in for Cancelo in the 46th minute. Was one of the most active offensive players in the second half, but he wasn’t as compelling in his actions as he was last time. Grade: 3.5

Jamal Musiala: Was also allowed to play after the break, Müller had to make way for him. Fantastic dribbling in the tightest of spaces, then went just wide of the goal with his left (68′). Always looked for the dribbling and radiated danger, even if everything didn’t work out. Grade: 3.5.

Serge Gnabry: The third change after halftime, Mané stayed in the dressing room. Good finish in the final phase. Missed a huge chance because he didn’t accept the ball properly in injury time. Still in his crisis. Grade: 4.5.

Josip Stanisic: Came after the equalizer for Pavard (56th), because Nagelsmann switched defensively and converted to four-chain, analogous to the PSG game against the ball. Gave a dangerous free kick once, otherwise unremarkable. Slipped away again at the end. grade: 4

Mathy’s phone: Substituted for Goretzka in the 76th minute. Should be more of a goal threat in the closing stages. But didn’t have any action worth mentioning. No rating.