Bayern Munich 3-2 RB Leipzig: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• The final 20 minutes or so of the game were pure chaos. Bayern Munich must’ve used at least thee different formations as players got subbed, and Leipzig got very close to making an equalizer happen. Dangerous play from Nagelsmann’s side — the defense needs to be better.
• The back three just doesn’t offer anything to this side, offensively or defensively.
• Leroy Sane is so wasteful with his shots, he could’ve had a couple of goals today if not for poor shooting.
• Upamecano and Sabitzer seem to be in Nagelsmann’s doghouse right now, they only came on very late in the game.
• Losing Alphonso Davies has been catastrophic for Bayern Munich’s buildup play.

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Full time: Bayern win 3-2.

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77’ — Andre Silva kicks Upamecano after being dispossessed. Should’ve been a yellow for him.

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57’ — GOAL! Gnabry makes it 3-2! Or was that an own goal?

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52’ — Goal. Nkunku scores to make it 2-2. What a disaster in midfield.

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45’ — The second half is underway!

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Halftime observations and analysis

• Yeah the defense is all over the place. If not for Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich could’ve been 2-1 or 3-1 down in the first 20 minutes. It’s a good thing that we have the best goalkeeper in the world, because these defenders are struggling to defend.
• Robert Lewandowski NEEDS more service. The few times he gets the ball he looks so dangerous. Give him the ball more often!
• Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane look great so far. The midfield could be a lot better though.

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Halftime: Bayern lead 2-1.

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43’ — GOAL! Great cross by Coman and Lewandowski heads it home. 2-1 to Bayern.

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36’ — GOAL! Thomas Muller makes it 2-1! Var pulls it back, nothing to see here.

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27’ — Goal. Mistake by Tolisso leads to a turnover, and Andre Silva taps it in from the counter. Ugh.

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12’ — GOAL! Sane does well to win the ball back and Lewandowski shoots, Gulasci saves by Thomas Muller scores the rebound!

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Kickoff: We’re underway in Munich!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Julian Nagelsmann opts to start Bayern Munich in a weird 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3 hybrid with Dayot Upamecano surprisingly benched. All three of Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, and Serge Gnabry start, with Lewandowski and Muller up top.

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We’ve had a painful couple of weeks without football, but Bayern Munich is finally back in action with a game against seasonal arch-competitors RB Leipzig. The East German club have seen an uptick in performances since firing Jesse Marsch in December, though they still sit outside the top four.

For Julian Nagelsmann, Dayot Upamecano, and Marcel Sabitzer, this game is a reunion with their former teammates. For everyone else, it’s business as usual. With Alphonso Davies and Leon Goretzka both still out, the coach will have to rely on his main stars to get the job done. Leroy Sane and one of Serge Gnabry or Kingsley Coman will be deployed wide of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller, while Joshua Kimmich is set to reprise his role in midfield.

With Dortmund looking like they’re willing to grind out results this season, getting all three points at home vs. Leipzig could be crucial to the title race. Thankfully, this game will be the first in months to actually feature spectators at the Allianz Arena.

It’s Bayern time.

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While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our preview podcast? Listen to it below or at this link.

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Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

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

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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