Bayern Munich find themselves in a difficult position against Bayer Leverkusen, trailing 1-0 at half-time and down to ten men. Leverkusen capitalised on their first real chance, with Culbreath also creating another opportunity. Bayern enjoyed a large share of possession but struggled to create any real danger. A goal from Tah was disallowed.
Leverkusen Strike First, Bayern Reduced to Ten
Leverkusen took the lead. Olise delivered a ball close to the goal, but Blaswich punched it away. Pavlovic then crossed again, and Tah won the header at the far post but couldn’t direct it on target. Before that, Schick shifted the play to Tillman in the penalty area, but Stanisic intervened fairly before Tillman could get a shot away.
Poku broke down the left and passed back to Tillman, whose right-footed shot from around 14 metres was saved by Ulreich. Bayern’s Jackson fouled Terrier in midfield, stepping on his ankle. The referee initially showed a yellow card, but the VAR intervened, and the referee changed his decision to a red card after reviewing the incident on the monitor. Terrier was able to continue playing.
Bayern’s Possession Doesn’t Translate to Chances
Poku was stopped by Stanisic and Upamecano after beating Olise on the left side of Bayern’s defence. Quansah intervened to head a Kimmich chip back to his keeper, Blaswich. Jackson was close to winning the ball after some sloppy play from Leverkusen, but he fouled Fernandez in the Bayer penalty area. Olise passed into the box from the right, where Stanisic ran onto the ball, but he failed to control it and it went out for a goal kick.
Bayern have had over 70 per cent of the ball, but they have struggled to break through a well-organised Bayer defence. Tah was booked for a foul on Schick and will miss the next match against Union Berlin. Bayer launched a dangerous counter-attack when Schick played the ball out to Culbreath on the right, whose shot curled just wide of the left post.
Leverkusen’s Tactical Flexibility
Bayern are again in possession and building another attack. Leverkusen’s system is variable. Defensively, they often form a 5-4-1, switching between a back four and a back three in possession. Tah’s earlier goal was disallowed for handball.
Four minutes of added time were played at the end of the first half. Stanisic made another run forward, but his cross from the right was blocked for a corner.