In the top game in Leverkusen on Saturday (February 10, 2024), FC Bayern Munich delivered an alarming performance, as top games are otherwise a Bavarian specialty. Harry Kane signed off, no motivation behind it – the Bayern Munich players in the individual criticism.
Goal – Manuel Neuer: Was helpless when Stanisic made it 0-1 because he was let down by his defense, which was in a deep sleep. He also had no chance with Alejandro Grimaldo’s beam to make it 2-0 for Leverkusen. Significantly for the day: Neuer was also punished for his decision to go forward at Bayern’s last corner when the score was 0-2. Jeremie Frimpong hit the empty goal and completed the humiliation.
Defense – Min-jae Kim: Personally, Kim was pleased with a strong duel rate of 73 percent in the end, although he also revealed major coordination problems in the back three. Kim was not blameless for the first goal conceded, when the Bayern defense forgot Josip Stanisic at the back post.
Defense – Eric Dier: The loanee from Tottenham Hotspur didn’t look too good as a central central defender in the running duel with the nimble Leverkusen team. Dier had the most ball contacts in Bayern (128), often acted as a builder and sometimes as a defender – but was not convincing in either role in the three-man chain surprisingly chosen by coach Thomas Tuchel.
Defense – Dayot Upamecano (until 60th minute): At first he didn’t act well, just like his defensive colleagues. He made a few bad passes and a ricochet gave Amine Adli the first opportunity of the game. However, his speed stood him in good stead in running duels, and he saved his team from falling behind against Florian Wirtz and Adli before the break.
Midfield – Sacha Boey (until 81): Cut a very unfortunate figure in his starting eleven debut. Offensively harmless, overwhelmed at the back. Boey completely took his eyes off Stanisic at 0-1. Boey’s allocation to set pieces was also strange at the beginning – he repeatedly covered Jonathan Tah, who was 17 centimeters taller. Also significant: He also received the first yellow card of the game because he was late against Andrich. Still allowed to play for over 80 minutes.
Midfield – Leon Goretzka (until 71): Just like his teammates, he couldn’t keep up with the quick combination play of the Leverkusen midfielders, who were extremely confident in passing under pressure in the center. Only won 25 percent of his duels. The midfield that day belonged to Andrich and Granit Xhaka.
Midfield – Aleksandar Pavlovic (up to 60): Barely appeared and only led five real duels. The small consolation: he won four of them.
Midfield – Noussair Mazraoui: He also remained very pale on the right side of midfield. Hit two crosses, neither of which arrived. He could at least be given credit for working: 11.4 kilometers of mileage were Bavarian top marks.
Attack – Jamal Musiala (until 81): Wasn’t a factor and was effectively covered by the attentive Leverkusen defense. Didn’t have any opportunities to hit his stride and pick up pace because he was already disrupted when he received the ball.
Attack – Leroy Sané: The Munich team only managed three shots on goal in the first 45 minutes in the first half – a season minus for FCB in one half. Sané was at least responsible for one of them, and it was also the only goal scored by a striker. Reared up a bit after the hour mark, was active at times, but without a dangerous scene.
Attack – Harry Kane: Was completely up in the air as a center forward. In numbers: Kane had eight ball contacts in half one, another twelve in half two. The bottom line was that he made 20 ball contacts in 90 minutes. The English national team captain only had one shot on goal and was completely deregistered by Leverkusen.
Midfield – Thomas Müller (from 60th): Came for Pavlovic and initially worked as a worker at the headquarters. But he also had no interest in dangerous scenes.
Midfield – Joshua Kimmich (from 60th): Came for Upamecano. Remarkable: Kimmich had 47 ball contacts in just 30 minutes and tried to shape the attacking efforts. But in the end he too remained at a loss.
Substituted from the 71st minute: Mathys Tel (for Leon Goretzka), Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (for Musiala), Raphael Guerreiro (for Boey).