Mats Hummels heads Bayern Munich to victory against Bayer Leverkusen

Headers from Thiago Alcantara and Mats Hummels led Bayern Munich to a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga’s Saturday night main event. The victory moves Bayern back into sole possession of second place, three points behind RB Leipzig.

Early on, it looked like Bayern were going to suffer a similar fate as they have lately. Every thing is there but that final pass to open up for a quality chance. However, there were several signs of life, including a vibrant left flank.

David Alaba was active up and down the left side of the field, combining well with Douglas Costa. It was from this side of the field that Bayern’s two best opportunities of the first half would come.

The left back’s cross went all the way to the far post where it was picked up by Joshua Kimmich. He laid it back to Philipp Lahm, and the captain ripped a shot toward the goal. Bernd Leno couldn’t catch the ball and deflected it right into the path of Thiago Alcantara who easily headed the ball into the goal from the doorstep.

However, that lead lasted less than five minutes. Hakan Calhanoglu led a quick counter attack before playing a great one-two with Julian Brandt. The 20 year old fed the ball back into the box for Calhanoglu, and his shot beat Manuel Neuer for the quick equalizer.

The second half was a wide open affair, with both sides picking up quality chance after quality chance. Bayern were the side able to squeeze out the winning goal thanks to the gift that never gives: a corner kick. Kimmich’s corner was powered home by Hummels to give Bayern 2-1 lead, which they would hold on to victory.

Bayern will take the field next Friday against Mainz at the Opel Arena in the Bundesliga.

Match Details

Bayern Munich 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Goals:

Bayern: Thiago Alcantara (30), Mats Hummels (56)
Leverkusen: Hakan Calhanoglu (35)

Lineups:

Bayern XI: Neuer; Alaba, Hummels, Martinez, Lahm (Vidal 81); Thiago, Alonso, Kimmich; Costa (Ribery 74), Lewandowski, Müller (Robben 65)

Leverkusen XI: Leno; Wendell, Dragovic, Tah, Henrichs; Kampl, Aranguiz; Havertz, Brandt (Volland 59); Mehmedi (Chicharito 59), Calhanoglu