Bayern Munich must settle for a point, to only marginally extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga table, but could even have taken nothing from a wide-open affair in which their visitors spurned a series of chances to lead.
An electrifying period for 20 minutes either side of the interval kept the few fans inside the Allianz Arena absorbed, as an end-to-end encounter seemed set to bring more goals for both sides, following a deservedly drawn first half. Nonetheless, neither side will be too dissatisfied with the result.
Starting Lineup:
BAYERN MUNICH (4-2-3-1): Sven Ulreich;
Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Niklas Sule, Omar Richards;
Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala; Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, Kingsley Coman;
Robert Lewandowski.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-2-1): Lukas Hradecky;
Edmond Tapsoba, Piero Hincapie, Jonathan Tah;
Jeremie Frimpong, Kerem Demirbay, Charles Aranguiz, Mitchel Bakker;
Moussa Diaby, Florian Wirtz; Amine Adli.
Goals:
BAYERN LEAD. Following a corner which Leverkusen cannot clear – the ball bobbling around inside the box amid several aerial challenges – the coolest man in the area is Sule, who rifles the ball past Hradecky and into the bottom-right corner. The champions go in front: Bayern 1-0 Leverkusen.
OWN GOAL. With his left foot, Demirbay slings in a swinging free-kick from the right, and under no particular pressure Muller stretches out a boot to steer home Leverkusen’s equaliser. Ulreich had no chance, That’s 1-1, with half-time fast approaching.
What does it mean? Bayern comfortable despite missed chance.
Bayern were looking to collect a fifth straight top-flight victory over Leverkusen for just the second time in the Bundesliga, but they faltered against Seoane’s vibrant young side.
Nagelsmann’s team still hold a substantial lead over Dortmund. Meanwhile, Leverkusen sit four points clear of fourth-placed Freiburg after Christian Streich’s team shared the spoils with top-four chasers RB Leipzig.
So, where else do Bayern Munich and Bayern Leverkusen go from here?
Both teams are next in action during midweek, as Bayern take on RB Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday.
While Leverkusen travel to Bergamo, where they will come up against Atalanta in the Europa League last 16.
Likewise, for more football news like this, click here.
