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3: 3 in the top game
Müller saves Bayern from defeat against RB Leipzig
Thomas Müller headed in the goal to make it 3: 3 against RB Leipzig. No more was possible for Munich on Saturday night.
© Sven Hoppe / DPA
FC Bayern avoided a defeat to RB Leipzig with a goal from Thomas Müller and remain leaders in the Bundesliga. The problem: On defense, Munich played negligently against the strong Leipzigers.
Thomas Müller saved a very weak FC Bayern against a great rival, RB Leipzig, from falling from the top of the table. In the quick 3: 3 (2: 2) on Saturday night, the Munich double scorer secured the final point in an intense exchange of blows in the 75th minute. With the draw, the German series champion saved the lead two points over the Saxons, who presented themselves as true rivals for the title. Effort and effectiveness voted against Bayern for a long time, where the defense again weakened and, exceptionally, included goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Christopher Nkunku (minute 19) Justin Kluivert (36th) and Emil Forsberg (48th) ensured Leipzig’s first Bundesliga goals in Munich. The actually more rested Munich squad were also not at the level of their offensive ability in many phases, even if they seemed to change the game quickly briefly before the break with a double strike by young Jamal Musiala (30th) and veteran Thomas Müller (35 °).
Hard and high speed duels
Bayern coach Hansi Flick had announced the main match for a “Champions” night. Leipziger, still without a title, presented himself as a true challenger for the three Munich winners. Although coach Julian Nagelsmann declared the next decisive Champions League game against Manchester United to be the “most important game”, the Saxons were not reluctant. The most rested Bavarians stood out with a lot of running effort and aggressiveness. A high intensity top game developed with great speed, high energy consumption and tough duels.
The Bavarians needed some boot time to find gaps in the rooms that were well lined up by the Leipzigers, especially in the center. And the Saxons kept changing brilliantly. In the second minute, captain Marcel Sabitzer fired at the crossbar. Munich’s defensive weaknesses were revealed by conceding goals. Emil Forsberg sent Nkunku wonderfully steep on the counterattack, and national goalkeeper Neuer missed as he ran off, but straddled the void.
Bayern return with a double blow
The best offense in the league came back with a double strike. First, Musiala, 17, who replaced the injured Javi Martínez (groin) early, finished low. Then Müller successfully completed a Bayern play on Robert Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman. Flick clapped on the bench, and just seconds later he was upset again after Kluivert’s 2-2 easily scored 2-2. The 21-year-old scored his first goal in competition for RB after being overtaken by Amadou Haidara.
The Leipzig team exposed Bayern’s defensive vulnerability even after the break. Forsberg was able to head a wonderfully beaten cross from Angelino in the middle: Jérôme Boateng and Niklas Süle didn’t have the Swedes on their radar. It was a real success. Bayern’s advance was surprisingly weak. The replacement of Serge Gnabry by the ineffective Leroy Sané also failed. But Bayern had Coman and Müller. The French, involved in the three goals, crossed precisely to the penalty area, where Müller headed without obstacles to put the 3: 3.
The other games: Borussia Dortmund again without winning
Thanks to Giovanni Reyna, Borussia Dortmund avoided their second consecutive defeat. The 18-year-old tied the hosts’ lead after 58 minutes at Eintracht Frankfurt to make it 1: 1 (1: 0). BVB moved up to third place on the chart.
VfL Wolfsburg remains undefeated this season. At 1. FC Köln, Lower Saxony twice tied the hosts’ lead and drew 2: 2 (1: 2) for the sixth time this season. With a 2-1 (2-0) win in the basement match with Mainz 05, Arminia Bielefeld pushed Rheinhessen down to relegation 16. SC Freiburg were left without a win in the ninth consecutive game. Breisgauer had to settle for 2: 2 (1: 1) against Borussia Mönchengladbach in their own stadium.
