Bayer Leverkusen clearly defeats FC Bayern: preliminary decision in the title fight?

Munich loanee Stanisic scores

For Bayer Leverkusen, the dream of the first German championship is becoming more real, FC Bayern Munich is threatened with the end of the unprecedented title series: The well-deserved 3-0 (1-0) in the top game of the Bundesliga means that coach Xabi Alonso’s team is ahead the record champion has grown to an impressive five points. After 27 wins in 31 competitive games this season, Leverkusen is still unbeaten.

Bayern, who have always been champions in the past eleven years, lost a top game between the first and second in the table for the first time in 21 games.

Of all people, Josip Stanisic, who was born in Munich and was loaned from Bayern, put Leverkusen in the lead with his first goal of the season in the 18th minute. The other full-back, Alejandro Grimaldo, about whom Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeneß said during the week that “no one knew him” until the Bayer transfer, increased in the 50th minute. Jeremie Frimpong (90th + 5) brought the final point.

The tension before the game was palpable. “Pants down and cards on the table,” Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel said. Bayer could have sold 180,000 tickets. But then the game started eight minutes late because the fans threw all kinds of balls onto the field in protest against the German Football League’s investor plans – and the football world watched.

Bayern had the all-clear regarding Manuel Neuer on Friday evening. The national goalkeeper was able to play despite his knee problems. Joshua Kimmich was at least substituted on after his shoulder injury, Dayot Upamecano was used from the start because of his recovered muscle fiber tear. Winter signing Sacha Boey, who came from Galatasaray for the club’s January record sum of 30 million euros, was in the starting line-up for the first time. Because of Alphonso Davies’ loss, the right-back had to play on the left side, which was unfamiliar to him, and he didn’t cut a good figure. At Bayer, Alonso made four changes compared to the 3-2 cup win against VfB Stuttgart. It was surprising that Frimpong, Jonas Hofmann and Patrick Schick had to go to the bench.

In a duel between the two teams that not only have the most points in the league, but also the most hits, the least goals conceded and the most ball possession, Bayern initially took command. Nevertheless, Bayer had the first chance when Amine Adli finished too hastily after a ricochet from Upamecano (11th).

After a quarter of an hour, Bayer found their way into the game and promptly took the lead. Initially, Neuer made a strong save against Adli after a save by Minjae Kim, but after the following throw-in and Robert Andrich’s cross, Stanisic was free at the far post and took the lead. He fended off congratulations from his colleagues – probably out of respect for his parent club – but at least he sent a thank you and a kiss on the hand to heaven.

Bayern were now off their game for a short time. Neuer prevented a quick 2-0 with good saves against Nathan Tella after a direct pass (23′) and against Jonathan Tah after a header (24′). Adli missed his best chance when he ran towards the goal alone, but let Upamecano tip the ball off his foot (42′). Bayern only had one viable chance before the break through Leroy Sané (43′).

After the change, Thomas Müller came onto the pitch as a substitute in the yellow jersey and spoke to the goal scorer Harry Kane, who had been completely out of the game until seconds before kick-off. But instead of the equalizer, Leverkusen’s second goal came quickly when Grimaldo finished with a shot under the crossbar after a nice one-two with Tella.

A few minutes later, Tuchel brought in Müller and Kimmich. The Munich team gained more and more of the game, but were hardly able to create any significant chances. On the other side, Frimpong hit the post (88th) before completing a counterattack into the empty Bayern goal shortly before the end. Neuer had previously come into the Bayer penalty area for a corner.

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