Leverkusen deals a sensitive blow to Bayern; Dortmund regains lead


Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 7:32 PM• Jonathan van Haaster • Last update: 19:35

Bayern Munich suffered an expensive defeat in the Bundesliga on Sunday. The team of trainer Julian Nagelsmann lost 2-1 at Bayer Leverkusen. Bayern still took the lead through Joshua Kimmich, but two striking penalties from Exequiel Palacios resulted in a three-pointer for the home team. Borussia Dortmund, which temporarily took over the lead on Saturday, is definitely the new leader after Sunday. Bayern follows by one point. Leverkusen climbs to eighth place and has European football in its sights again.

On the Leverkusen side, Frimpong started on the right in defence, while Mitchel Bakker, Daley Sinkgraven and Timothy Fosu-Mensah started on the bench. Florian Wirtz returned from injury and was right at center forward. On the side of Bayern, Matthijs de Ligt started in the base, while Daley Blind, Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui, among others, started on the bench. He stood next to Benjamin Pavard and Dayot Upamecano in defense. João Cancelo was preferred to the right of midfield over Kingsley Coman. Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Sadio Mané formed the vanguard.

After fifteen minutes, Frimpong had a nice opportunity because De Ligt lifted offside. The former cut Alphonso Davies and shot towards the discount corner, where Yann Sommer was in time. Leverkusen was the better party, so Bayern’s goal fell against the ratio after more than twenty minutes. A cross ended up with Leon Goretzka, who laid it ready for Kimmich. The midfielder then moved in via a Leverkusen leg: 0-1. More than five minutes before the break, De Ligt and Frimpong collided hard. The defender of Leverkusen was penalized with a yellow card. In the final phase of the first act there was little more to note.

Seven minutes before the end, the home team screamed for a penalty kick. Adli was kicked on the heel by Pavard, causing the former’s shoe to come loose. After seeing the images, the referee decided to award a penalty kick. Palacios got behind the ball and passed Sommer: 1-1. Pavard, who already had a yellow card, got away well by not getting a second yellow card and was immediately replaced by Josip Stanisic.

Bayern remained dangerous and Jamal Musiala could have made it 1-2. The German slalomed past the home team’s defense and saw his attempt go just wide. On the other hand, the goal fell. Upamecano floored Adli and after seeing the images again a penalty kick was given. Palacios also did not fail the second time: 2-1. Bayern insisted in the final phase, but Hrádecký turned out to be the hero of the Werkself. The Finnish goalie turned shots from Sane, Mane and Alphonso Davies, among others. De Ligt headed in injury time beyond Hrádecký’s reach, but his attempt went just wide. In minute 98, Bakker was on his way to 3-1. However, the substitute saw that his attempt was not enough towards the corner. Sommer was able to save, but seconds later heard the final signal.

No. Team m W G v +/- Pnt
1 Borussia Dortmund 25 17 2 6 24 53
2 Bayern Munich 25 15 7 3 45 52
3 1. FC Union Berlin 25 14 6 5 10 48
4 RB Leipzig 25 13 6 6 19 45
5 SC Freiburg 24 13 6 5 4 45
6 Eintracht Frankfurt 25 11 7 7 10 40
7 VfL Wolfsburg 25 10 8 7 12 38
8 Bayer Leverkusen 25 11 4 10 5 37
9 FSV Mainz 05 24 10 6 8 4 36
10 Borussia Monchengladbach 25 8 7 10 -4 31
11 Werder Bremen 25 9 4 12 -9 31
12 FC Augsburg 25 8 4 13 -13 28
13 1. FC Cologne 25 6 9 10 -11 27
14 VfL Bochum 25 8 1 16 -29 25
15 TSG Hoffenheim 25 6 4 15 -12 22
16 Hertha BSC 25 5 6 14 -18 21
17 Schalke 04 25 4 9 12 -24 21
18 VfB Stuttgart 25 4 8 13 -13 20