Josip Stanisic scored, of all people. He saved himself the cheers. Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong celebrated with attention to detail. They celebrated Bayer Leverkusen’s victory in the top game against FC Bayern Munich the way their team played. This is how you can become a master. The Leverkusen players in individual criticism.
Goal – Lukas Hradecky: As the goalkeeper of the best defense in the Bundesliga, he is used to games in which he watches from a distance as the magic happens up front. Still probably wouldn’t have thought that he would get so little on his goal in the top game against Bayern. It was there when a shot did get through, like Kimmich’s left-footed shot (84th minute). His greatest performance came when he climbed the fence after the game and sang for the fans.
Defense – Josip Stanisic: Bayern had forgotten him, but they should actually know him. It was the 18th minute when a low cross from Robert Andrich slipped through the penalty area. Stanisic had no opponent at the far post. He saved himself the cheers, after all he is actually from Munich. Stanisic is on loan from there. It’s a good deal for Leverkusen, we know that now: his path into the starting eleven was blocked for a long time, then came the Africa Cup and with it the absence of Edmond Tapsoba and Odilon Kossounou. Stanisic took advantage of his chance.
Defense – Jonathan Tah: Almost scored again when he headed in from a corner. But Manuel Neuer held. But he also did his actual job excellently: as head of defense, he was careful with Bayern’s long balls and, as always, confident with the ball at his feet. Once, in the 70th minute, he threw himself into a cross with all his determination and prevented Harry Kane from getting the ball. He managed this very well in conjunction with Tapsoba and Hincapié. Kane was not a factor in this game.
Defense – Edmond Tapsoba: Was always there when things got tough. Like in the 24th minute, when he tipped the ball off Jamal Musiala’s foot and prevented a Munich counterattack. He managed to do that again in the second half, when Leroy Sané was the victim and the scene took place in Leverkusen’s five-yard box. Won a strong 73 percent of his duels, and he also impressed as a builder. Assisted Jeremie Frimpong to make it 3-0.
Defense – Piero Hincapié: Shortly before half-time, he misjudged a long ball from Noussair Mazraoui. Was then able to thank Jonathan Tah, who was next to him, for putting Bayern’s Sané under pressure and thus preventing anything worse from happening. It remained Hincapié’s only mistake. It was also thanks to him that Bayern’s offensive hardly had any chances.
Midfield – Nathan Tella (up to 65th): This time they were preferred to Frimpong, which was not expected. Coach Xabi Alonso will not have regretted that. Tella deserved to be greeted with applause when he was substituted after 65 minutes. I was traveling a lot and pretty fast. Even failed with a shot past Munich goalkeeper Neuer, there was more possible. Later he played a one-two with Grimaldo – it was the assist before Leverkusen’s second goal.
Midfield – Robert Andrich: Took over the physical part alongside Xhaka. He often looked after Jamal Musiala, was rarely affectionate, but always energetic. This wasn’t good news for Musiala, he couldn’t find his way into the game. Andrich also had good scenes with the ball, for example when he set up Stanisic’s opening goal with a low cross.
Midfield – Granit Xhaka: He actually made a bad pass once, around the 29th minute. But then he took his right foot, it is his weaker one. Bad passes are the exception for him. Was only on the ball 61 times that day, he usually achieves such values in one half. Otherwise everything was as usual: Xhaka sets the pace and also the direction, he is Leverkusen’s metronome.
Midfield – Florian Wirtz: Once, in the 47th minute, he took on four Bayern players and didn’t lose the ball. It was such a day: Wirtz had the most ball contacts at Leverkusen. He hit hooks that irritated his opponents. He dribbled when it was time to dribble. Played some good passes, we know that from him too. This time he didn’t score and didn’t score himself, but he still played well.
Midfield – Alejandro Grimaldo (up to 90th): He turned his back to the curve and tugged at his jersey, which had the number 20 on it. He raised his arms. Nobody should overlook who scored it so beautifully. That was in the 63rd minute: Grimaldo played a one-two with Tella, then he hit the near corner with his left foot. Shuttled between the midfield and defense, filling up the five-man defense in Munich’s attacks. There was enough time to play one-twos and celebrate.
Attack – Amine Adli (until 82): Xabi Alonso had put him up as ninth. He interpreted the role differently than the goal scorers Victor Boniface (injured) or Patrik Schick (recently unlucky). He ran a lot and was often intelligent, and was often open to jokes. Had the first chance of the game when he was set up by Tella after Dayot Upamecano’s ricochet. But his shot only hit Neuer’s upper body.
Midfield – Jeremie Frimpong (from 65th): It was a surprise that he initially just sat on the bench. But he fit in seamlessly after being substituted on. Ran away from many Bayern players in 31 minutes, first hitting the side netting (72′), then the outside post (88′) and finally into the goal (90’+5). He fell on his back after his sixth goal of the season, his eyes wide open – as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened in Leverkusen.
Substituted from the 82nd minute: Jonas Hofmann (for Adli), Gustavo Puerta (for Grimaldo), Adam Hlozek (for Wirtz).