Bayer Leverkusen
FC Bayern Munich

Bayer Leverkusen Provide Convincing Home Victory Over Bayern Munich

By
Moritz Baer
February 10, 2024
20:15
January 2023. Florian Wirtz. The friendly match FC Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs F.C. Copenhagen at BayArena. Photo: Vitalii Vitleo.
January 2023. Florian Wirtz. The friendly match FC Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs F.C. Copenhagen at BayArena. Photo: Vitalii Vitleo.

With Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen only two points apart before the Bundesliga's matchday 21, the tie between the two sides was crucial in the title race.

What Was Said Before The Match?

For Bayer Leverkusen, the objective was clear before the game and this was to win.

Bayer 04 Manager Xabi Alonso said before the game: "We're having a good moment and want to keep that going."

Thomas Tuchel, on the other hand, said: "Leverkusen’s run is extraordinary and deserved. It’s credit to their quality. But we’re only two points behind so have no reason to hide."

Match Overview

Bayern Munich opened the game with the line share of possession but with this occupancy of the ball they were unable to create any real chances.

In the eleventh minute, Amine Adli entered the Bayern box and saw his effort saved comfortably by Manuel Neuer.

Not long after, Robert Andrich played a ball into the box which fell under Dayot Upamecano's legs and crept into the path of Josip Stanišić.

Stanišić, with his eye on the goal, netted an easy finish to put "Die Werkself" one-nil up.

Throughout the first half, Leverkusen amounted a few more chances and were the better team but were unable to capitalise and increase their lead.

To begin the second half, Bayer Leverkusen started just like they had in the first and that was with a quick tempo.

Just five minutes into the second fourty-five, Nathan Tella threaded a pass through to Álex Grimaldo who tucked away the ball with a neat finish to double Bayer's advantage.

JANUARY, 2024: Alex Grimaldo. Bayer Leverkusen vs Venezia FC at BayArena. Photo: Vitalii Vitleo.

Next, Bayern decided to make a double change which saw the controversially benched Joshua Kimmich come on for Dayot Upamecano and veteran Thomas Müller come on for Aleksandar Pavlović.

Following this, in the 73rd minute, Florian Wirtz offloaded the ball to Granit Xhaka in Bayern's half and Xhaka then went on to give the ball to Frimpong who narrowly missed the left corner.

Late in the game, Stanišić played a ball through to the quick pace of Jeremie Frimpong and he hit the post following a last-ditch deflection off the recovering Joshua Kimmich.

Finally, to seal the game, Bayer Leverkusen launched a counter-attack following a failed Bayern Munich corner which saw Manuel Neuer join the attack.

With Neuer out of his goal, Frimpong was able to use his pace to maraud into the Bayern half and manufacture a chance to net an open goal.

With his sight on goal, the Dutchman was able to net a third for Bayer 04.

Man of the Match

Jeremie Frimpong

Jeremie Frimpong in April 2023. Credit: Vitalii Vitleo

With a goal and a persistent threat level, Frimpong's substitute appearance was the turning point in the game where it could be seen that Leverkusen would be able to cruise to victory. Another honourable shout would be his wing-back teammate Álex Grimaldo who also had a brilliant game.

Match Result

Bayer Leverkusen
3
:
0
FC Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen
FC Bayern Munich

'18 Josip Stanišić ⚽️

'50 Álex Grimaldo ⚽️

'64 Edmond Tapsoba 🟨

'77 Amine Adli 🟨

'83 Lukas Hradecky 🟨

'90+5 Jeremie Frimpong ⚽️

'36 Sascha Boey 🟨

'62 Leon Goretzka 🟨

Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso. Photo: Bayer 04 Leverkusen

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