Bayern Munich 3-3 RB Leipzig: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Horrible defending by Bayern Munich today. Boateng and Sule were all at sea, Pavard was poor, and Alaba was only okay in the offensive phase. If Nagelsmann hadn’t subbed Poulsen on, Leipzig would’ve won this one. That sub killed their offense.
• Kingsley Coman finishes the game with 3 assists. He was unequivocally the best player on the pitch. Most others were mediocre or downright bad, especially the defenders.
• Jamal Musiala is a gem of a player. Ansu Fati who? Musiala szn.
• Robert Lewandowski was quiet on the scoring front, but created space for Thomas Muller’s goals. He had barely any real service today.
• A draw by Dortmund means that Bayern stay top of the table with the same points lead. However, Flick needs to figure out the defense — we’re conceding goals at record rates.

---

Full time: Bayern Munich 3-3 RB Leipzig.

---

82’ — Substitution: Richards and Costa on for Coman and Boateng.

---

74’ — GOAL! Thomas Muller scores the equalizer! Coman’s third assist.

---

63’ — Substitution: Serge Gnabry comes on for a lackluster Leroy Sane.

---

48’ — Goal. 3-2 for Leipzig. No defending whatsoever.

---

45’ — Second half kicks off!

---

Halftime observations and analysis

• Jamal Musiala is a gem of a player. Reminds me of Franck Ribery in a good way. His goal was well taken.
• Bayern’s defense is horrendous. Kimmich, Lucas, and Phonzie can’t come back soon enough.
• Leroy Sane remains mediocre while starting. Not a great outing for him so far.
• Two assists for Kingsley Coman already, clearly the best attacker on the pitch today.
• Bayern need to get Lewandowski into shooting positions. His holdup play has been great, but he has had no chance to challenge Gulasci.

---

Halftime: 2-2.

---

35’ — Goal. Excuse me??? Leipzig makes it 2-2 immediately.

---

34’ — GOAL! Thomas Muller makes it 2-1! Second assist for Coman!

---

29’ — GOAL! Jamal Musiala makes it 1-1! What a player!

---

24’ — Substitution: Jamal Musiala comes on for Javi Martinez, who appears to have a groin injury. Strange substitution by Flick.

---

19’ — Goal, Christopher Nkunku scores after Manuel Neuer fails to get the ball after rushing out of his box.

---

Kickoff: Both teams are underway in Munich!

---

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Big surprise — no Lucas Hernandez. Sane starts as well!

---

MATCHDAY! Bayern Munich have a late kickoff this week, which means the match is going to be very special. Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann face each other only the second time in their careers, as RB Leipzig travel to the Allianz Arena determined to take top spot in the league today.

Flick has a small advantage in the fact that he was able to rest key players in midweek for the buildup to this game. Robert Lewandowski, Leon Goretzka, and Manuel Neuer were all left at home while Bayern faced Atletico, and Thomas Muller started that game on the bench. In contrast, Nagelsmann had a tough game against Istanbul Basakehir to deal with, and he also needs to think about an upcoming clash against Manchester United in midweek. Could fixture pressure and depth be the difference between the two sides? Or will the Lawnballers throw the Bavarians a curve ball?

It’s Bayern time.

---

Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Time: 6:30 pm local time, 12:30 pm EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

Tips for commenting:

1. If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself. We’re mostly very friendly! Also, we’re from all parts of the world so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog.
2. SBN is a little slow to show new comments. Refresh the page regularly to keep up with the discussion, especially after goals.
3. The goal celebrations are for everyone to participate in! Even if you’re lagging behind the others, keep replying to the most recent call of the player’s name. Even if you missed the first call, just start from the second, and so on.
4. While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language is not allowed whatsoever.

Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!

Looking for an unending well of Bayern Munich content? Sign up for an SBNation account and join the conversation on Bavarian Football Works. Whether it’s full match coverage and analysis, breaking news or something completely different, we have it all.