Returnee Jamal Musiala took a selfie on the pitch with a thumbs up, goal scorer Harry Kane briefly raised his arms in celebration of this demonstration of power. With brutal ruthlessness, FC Bayern more than saved the dream of an invincible season in the top game at RB Leipzig. The Munich team turned a 0-1 deficit into a top-class Bundesliga clash and ultimately triumphed impressively 5-1 (0-1).
Musiala celebrated his comeback after six months and even prepared a goal after coming on as a substitute shortly before the end. “It’s very nice that Jamal is back after such a long time,” said his teammate Serge Gnabrywho left the pitch for Musiala in the 87th minute and commented on the turnaround after the break: “At halftime we knew: Okay, we can still turn the game around, nothing is over yet.”
In front of 47,800 spectators in the sold-out Leipzig stadium, Romulo (20th minute) had used one of Leipzig’s numerous chances to take the lead – and it looked like a victorious revenge for the 6-0 defeat, the worst defeat in Leipzig’s Bundesliga history in the first leg. But then everything turned out differently, initiated by Gnabry’s goal (50th). Kane (67th) then took the lead before Jonathan Tah (83′), Aleksandar Pavlovic (85′) and Michael Olise (88′) completed the dismantling of their pursuer.
“They really caused us problems in the first half,” said coach Vincent Kompany on Sky about Leipzig: “But second half: my God.” His players then ran six kilometers more than their opponents. Still, it wasn’t perfect, said the Bayern coach: “It was pure, pure old-school mentality: running, fighting, tackling.”
Newer like Beckenbauer
Before the spectacle began, however, it was time for a little emotion. On Bayern’s side, national player Musiala was back in the squad for the first time since he broke his fibula last July. Captain Manuel Neuer, who has never played against Leipzig According to the league, he played his 584th competitive game for Bayern and drew level with Franz Beckenbauer and made some great saves. “You can’t praise him enough,” Kompany commented on Neuer’s overall goalkeeping package.
At Leipzig, Kevin Kampl was farewelled before kick-off after eight and a half years; Benjamin Henrich’s name could be read on the line-up sheet. The national player tore his Achilles tendon in the 5-1 loss in Munich on December 20, 2024 – and is now back.
Leipzig usury of opportunities
Leipzig put enormous pressure on Bayern, who had only completed the best first half of the season for a Bundesliga team on Wednesday. There shouldn’t be a 0:6 like in the first leg this Saturday evening. With a bit of luck, Leipzig could have scored three goals after ten minutes alone. But Christoph Baumgartner’s shot (3′) flew just over, Romulo (5′) failed from a few meters Neuerand Antonio Nusa (7th) pushed the ball past the empty goal.
Then Bayern entered the game. Luis Diaz’s long-range shot (11th) was too central and therefore too harmless. After sprinting across half the pitch, Lennart Karl (14th) apparently lacked the strength to precisely serve the completely free-standing Diaz in the penalty area.
Suddenly Kane is there
Leipzig continued to set an enormous pace – and was rewarded. David Raum started steeply down the left into Bayern’s penalty area, crossed and Romulo got to the ball quicker than Jonathan Tah. The Brazilian celebrated his sixth league goal, and his family, who had come from home, celebrated in the stands.
Nusa (24th) had the second goal for the Saxons towards the end of a fast-paced 30 minutes. The Norwegian ran towards Neuer alone, but – probably a little hastily – hit the ball over the goal. Anyone who doesn’t take advantage of their chances against Bayern usually gets paid. Shortly before halftime, RB goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi (39th) prevented this with a daring save against Kane, who was ready to finish.
Kompany brings Kimmich
Kompany reacted and brought on the recently injured Joshua Kimmich for Leon Goretzka after the half-time break. And the receipt came. Baumgartner improperly accepted a pass in midfield, Dayot Upamecano won the ball and passed it directly to Gnabry. The 30-year-old finished dry into the far corner.
Bayern were now pushing for the lead. Michael Olise replaced Karl and should provide even more pressure on the right wing. First it was Kane and Kimmich (60th) who failed with a double chance. On the other hand, Neuer parried a shot from Romulo (65′).
Individual class should decide the game – or individual mistakes. After a cross from Olise, Ridle Baku slipped away in the penalty area and Kane, who was guarded by him, mercilessly drove the ball into the net. Neuer parried Yan Diomande’s breakthrough (72nd) superbly.
Bayern simply acted mercilessly and inflicted another blow on Leipzig. After a corner, Tah made everything clear – and Leipzig ran into the open knife twice. Pavlovic and Olise each increased after a counterattack within a few minutes.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:260117-930-559615/2
