Bayern Munich – RB Leipzig
As Bayern Munich managed to claw their way back into the contest to draw 3-3 with RB Leipzig, Flick was lucky that the likes of Thomas Muller and Kingsley Coman were on red-hot form. However, who let The Reds down and who shone for Leipzig as Ashley Adamson-Edwards reviews each player from tonight’s clash.
Embed from Getty ImagesBayern Munich Ratings
Starting Line-up – Hans-Dieter Flick’s trusted eleven:
Manuel Neuer – 6/10
After being hammered with shots straight from the off, Manueal neuer did well to keep his side in the game at the start. However, once rushing out of goal way too early and allow Nkunku to drift past and score proved that tonight wasn’t exactly his night.
However, the former World Cup winner did ruin some Leipzig attacks with his classic sweeping technique and couldn’t really do too much about the two other goals. Therefore, the man performed just higher than average, but no where near his own average. 6/10.
David Alaba – 5/10
Since Alaba is probably Bayern’s best defender they have, tonight certainly wasn’t his best performance to date. When Leipzig scored their second goal, Alaba was caught ball-watching as Leipzig pounced on the chance. Perhaps the argument could be made that Alaba defended well for Bayern, bit I would argue against it. When Leipzig had the ball, Kluivert was able to cut free from the Austrian and work his magic. When Bayern had ball, Alaba had no defending to do as his side were all about keeping the ball. 5/10.
Jerome Boateng – 3/10
The 32-year-old looked all over the place at some points tonight. For example, when Leipzig opened the game up with their first goal, Boateng was found way too far forward. This meant that Nkunku was able to drift away from Pavard and run through on goal.
Throughout the second half the German defender was also caught going in too hard in some challenges that resulted in free-kicks being given to the opposition. Had it not been for Boateng’s lack of awareness and reckless challenging, Bayern could have gone five points clear of Nagelsmasnn’s side. 3/10.
Niklas Sule – 5/10
The other German defender deployed by Flick tonight also wasn’t really up to scratch. Whilst being at fault for the second goal conceded along with Alaba, the 25-year-old just didn’t look convincing in a side that won the treble last year. 5/10.
Benjamin Pavard – 4/10
Throughout the first half, Nkunku was given the time and space to run Bayern all over the place. And who’s job was it to stop this? Benjamin Pavard. He produced a few decent crosses and a nice shot but other than that he had an irrelevant showing.
Secondly, there’s a reason why his winger had to be subbed off eventually. And it might not just have been because that winger didn’t play too well either, but because they were struggling to link up with the French right-back. 4/10.
Embed from Getty ImagesJavi Martinez – 5/10
The 25th minute saw the World Cup and Euros winning Spaniard leave the field due to injury. Therefore, he’s been given a 5/10 as a standard rating. 5/10.
Leon Goretzka – 7/10
Its clear to see that Goretzka has really been transformed into a real powerhouse for Bayern. Alongside a fantastic technical ability, and Goretzka is at exactly what Bayern want and need. Tonight, he was good at moving the play around and did well to mop up a few chances for Leipzig. However, somehow the midfield of Leipzig was able to stop Goretzka being let off the leash, and attack freely. On the flip side though, he did have to move into a more defensive role once Masiala was brought on. 7/10.
Thomas Muller – 9/10
Before tonight’s game, Muller was top of the Bundesliga charts for the most assists so far this season. And although he didn’t manage one of those tonight, he proved exactly why he’s still so engrained into this Bayern side and also why he will go down as an icon of the game when he retires.
His first goal completely summed up the goal scoring threat that Muller also has to his game. Waiting on the also man and pouncing on a through ball to give himself the space he needs, once he’s on the ball the rest is history. The second was crucial for Bayern as the defining header earned his side a point that keeps them top of the table.
A remarkable performance. 9/10.
Kinglsey Coman – 9/10
One of the many Frenchman that shone tonight, Coman had a wonderful game as last seasons Champions League Final scorer recorded all three assists. A nice lay off to Musiala, a clever ball through and an inch-perfect to cross to Muller. On top of creating every one of Bayern’s goals he also could have easily assisted more and scored himself with a couple of other chances.
Without Coman, this game had a Leipzig win written all over it. 9/10.
Embed from Getty ImagesRobert Lewandowski – 4/10
Robert Lewandowski is without a doubt one of the best strikers in the world. But tonight, Chuopo-Moting would have added just as much to the game.
It’s not as if the Polish star was just unlucky tonight, he wasn’t good enough. Barely involved in the game, was a little unstable when on the ball and didn’t contribute to any of Bayern’s three goals. Considering the type of player we are talking about, tonight was nothing but a disappointment.
On the flip side though, his movement in the box when Muller scored his second of the night was good enough to draw the Leipzig defender’s away from the scorer. Therefore, he deserves a 4/10.
Leroy Sane – 5/10
Whenever Leroy Sane gets on the ball in any game, the man looks dangerous. Such quick feet simply leave defenders confused beyond belief. However, despite his clever foot-work and fast runs in-behind, he also wasn’t involved in the play enough. Once Serge Gnabry replaced him Bayern looked far more threatening, 5/10.
Substitutes – Super Subs or a tactical disaster?
Jamal Masiala – 7/10
The 17-year-old produced a magnificent finish from outside the box tonight which allowed Bayern their first equalizer. At such a young, the Englishman really does deserve some credit. However, towards the end of the game, if ti wasn’t for his lack of stamina, Masiala could have won the game for Bayern. But it wasn’t meant to be. 7/10.
Serge Gnabry – 6/10
With Leroy Sane being replaced by Gnabry, Bayern’s attacking threat really was rejuvenated. The bursting runs, explosive shots and sheer work rate was put on display right away. Although he didn’t contribute in the way he would’ve like to, he did well when given the opportunity. 6/10.
Douglas Costa – 5/10
A good player but wasn’t really able to make an impact in the ten minutes given to him. But that was his job so the Brazilian doesn’t deserve any excuses. 5/10.
Chris Richards – 5/10
There isn’t much to say about another one of Flick’s youngsters. 5/10.
RB Leipzig Ratings
Starting Line-up – Julian Nagelsmann’s visiting force:
Peter Gulacsi – 7/10
It’s fair to say that Gulacsi didn’t have the best of games midweek, and although he did concede three tonight, the Hungarian had a strong performance for Naggelsmann. A memorable moment came in the first half, when Benjamin Pavard struck a menacing volley towards goal. Gulacsi was forced into action and pulled off a very fine save whilst tipping the ball out for a Bayern corner. 7/10.
Angelino – 8/10
Although he wasn’t used very frequently at Manchester City, it looks like he’s found his place once again in Naggelsmann’s Leipzig side. His cross tonight to set up Leipzig’s third goal was perfect and put the chance on a plate for Forsberg. On top of this, there was a reason why Leroy Sane wasn’t able to get involved with the game too much tonight. That reason was Angelino. The Spaniard had a decent game. 8/10.
Dayot Upamecano – 7/10
Throughout the game, Upamecano showed numerous reasons as to why so many big clubs across Europe want to sign the French defender. A great flash of pace (the third fastest player in the Bundesliga by the way) to control Bayern attacks, good anticipation to abolish threats and a real commitment to fight in the air. Despite his side conceding three goals, Upamecano showed a fine spirit tonight and sometimes the sheer quality to Bayern is just too good. 7/10.
Embed from Getty ImagesIbrahima Konate – 6/10
Although, Ibrahima Konate gets slightly outshone by his fellow compatriot in Upamecano, he certainly held his own tonight. He did well to track the threatening runs from Bayern’s lethal attack and as always worked extremely well with his centre-back pair. However, there’s an argument that he could’ve done better in marking Muller when scoring his second goal. Overall, the Frenchman deserves a rating of 6/10 for defending solidly. 6/10.
Nordi Mukiele – 6/10
Another one of Leipzig’s French boys is Mukiele and he also defended well tonight. His strength and composure on and off the ball served him well as Leipzig attempted to hold their own at the Alianz Arena. Although he didn’t really do too much going forward and picked up a yellow card, he was influential in the vital point that his side earned tonight. 6/10.
Tyler Adams – 7/10
Tyler Adams did a fine job today in midfield as he led his side to a vital point that keeps his team in the race for the title. At only 21, the US international held his own in one of the toughest leagues in the world and against it’s hardest opponent. On top of this, by the 65th minute, Adams has recorded the most distance covered by any player on the pitch, with 8.5km. As the Bundesliga develops into an even faster paced league, Adams will be a perfect fit for the future of Leipzig. 7/10.
Embed from Getty ImagesMarcel Sabitzer – 7/10
Right from the start Sabitzer made his presence known with cannoning effort that slammed against the bar in only the second minute. Further more, although Muller had a strong game, his job was made even harder by Sabitzer as he did his best to close him down. Hardworking, experienced and technically gifted. 7/10.
Amadou Haidara – 7/10
It was a commanding performance from Leipzig’s midfield thsi evening, and Haidara was a big part of it. In the first half, Haidara produced a moment of magic when lifting a pass over the off-balanced Boateng to find Justine Kluivert in on goal. The Dutchman scored and Haidara proved his worth in the side. Although he lost possession on a couple of occasions, his ability to provide that little bit of quality around the pitch and his hard work did wonders tonight. 7/10.
Christpoher Nkunku – 8/10
The Frenchman had a phenomanl first half performance. Not only did he show tremendous skill and composure to grab the first goal for Leipzig, he also had a number of threatening shots on Bayern’s goal before-hand.
Unfortunately, a slight knock and the heavy entourage from Bayern saw that his second-half didn’t quite have the same effect as the first. However, due to his crucial involvement in the first-half, Nkunku deserves an 8/10.
Embed from Getty ImagesJustin Kluivert – 8/10
When Kluivert signed for Leipzig in the summer, there was plenty of suggestions to say that the man wasn’t good enough for the Bundesliga, and was so far from what his father once was. However, on his second ever Bundesliga start against the reigning champions, a goal is not too bad.
The finish produced by the Dutchman was simple but effective as it easily stunned Neuer. Furthermore, throughout the game Kluivert was very affective at moving the ball down the right side and created some decent opportunities. Without a doubt one of the best players tonight and deserves an 8/10.
Emil Forsberg – 9/10
The Swede was excellent tonight. And I’ll tell you exactly why.
For the first goal, Forsberg was able to run with the ball though the centre of the park, spot the gaping hole in Bayern’s defence and slot a well times pass through to Nkunku who scored the first goal.
For his second goal (Leipzig’s third), he did brilliantly to position himself between two Bayern centre-backs and header home with confidence. Although the cross made the chance so easy, the number 10 showed great awareness and composure to finish off the chance.
Finally, when Leipzig were so desperate to hold onto their lead, Forsberg showed true hunger and spirit when trying to win the ball back for his side. In the end the result wasn’t quite what he hoped for, but had this to say after the match:
“It was a really great game between two sides who wanted to win. It was fantastic to be out on the pitch – these are the kind of games you live for as a footballer.” 9/10.
Substitutes – Saviours to Leipzig’s title hopes or another reminder that nothing can stop the monster that is Bayern Munich?
Yussuf Poulsen – 5/10
Although Leipzig needed a goal at the point of Poulsen’s arrival to the field, the man he replaced probably wasn’t the best fit. Without the creativity of Forsberg spurring him on, he looked lost and struggled to influence the game. 5/10.
Dani Olmo – 5/10
Although Dani Olmo still had a decent amount of time to effect the game when coming on, he struggled to do just that. With Bayern engaging in a hard press that saw Leipzig barely leave their half after going 2-3 head, Olmo certainly wasn’t given the freedom to express himself. 5/10.
Kevin Kampl – 5/10
Once again, Bayern dominated the period that Kampl was on the pitch so much that he barely got a look in. However, he did look agile and progressive when on the ball. 5/10.
Alexander Sorloth – 4/10
Was very quiet when brought on. Involved in one memorable moment when Goretzka sent him flying whilst the two were shoulder-to-shoulder. 4/10.
Willi Orban – 5/10
In attempt to hold onto to what Leipzig had fought for all game, Orban was brought onto the pitch. In fairness to the Hungarian, he did well to fit in with his sides’ shape and managed to keep up with Bayern’s high tempo. 5/10.
For more Overtime sport content click here and for more football content click here.
If you want to have a read of my other Bundesliga live-blogs then click on the links below:
