Bayern Munich dominates, but cannot beat champion Leverkusen

Munich., Dominant but ineffective, Bayern Munich did not go beyond a 1-1 draw in their stadium against the current German champion, Bayer Leverkusen, this Saturday in the fifth day of the Bundeslisga, a result that allows the Bavarian giant, in which he was injured Harry Kane, maintain first place.

Robert Andrich opened the scoring for Leverkusen (31st minute) and Aleksansar Pavlovic equalized for Bayern (39th).

“We deserved more, without a doubt, we were the best team and we had the best chances, the goal we conceded was frustrating,” said local captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

In the standings, Bayern has 13 points, ahead of Leipzig (11), Leverkusen and Dortmund (10).

Led by Vincent Kompany this season, Bayern regret having had 70% of the possession and having added 17 shots – compared to three for Bayer – but Xabi Alonso’s team left the Allianz Arena alive. They have only lost one Championship match since the start of the 2023-24 season, at Leipzig on August 31.

Both contenders appeared on the pitch of the Allianz Arena with strong offensive statistics in the last three games: twelve goals for Leverkusen and 20 for Bayern, nine against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League!

Kane is injured

The show did not live up to expectations, although there was intensity and a tactical fight between Kompany and Alonso.

In front of their home crowd, Bayern dominated but the visiting team showed that one of the keys to their title last season was an effective defensive block.

Against the direction of the duel, Bayer took the lead thanks to the German international midfielder Andrich, with a shot from outside the area after a nice combination in a corner.

Bayern quickly equalized with a missile from Pavlovic from 25 meters that goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky could only brush with his fingers.

After the break, Bayern continued to show a lack of efficiency and the match was tied.

With five minutes left Kane, who had had little role, left the field limping after a blow to his left foot from a collision with Amine Adli.

“When Harry leaves the field it means something because it is very hard. It was not a pretty action, but I hope he is made of good British wood that never breaks,” said Bayern sporting director Max Eberl.

Leipzig shows off

Before, Leipzig beat Augsburg 4-0 thanks to a double from their Slovenian international Benjamin Sesko, to move into second place in the Bundesliga.

Sesko, 21 years old and one of the most promising center forwards in Europe, scored twice in four minutes (11 and 15) and also assisted on the fourth goal, scored by the Dutch Xavi Simons (57).

The third goal had been scored by Leipzig’s other star attacker, the Belgian Lois Openda, upon returning from the locker room after the break (46).

In the other games this Saturday, Heidenheim won 2-0 against Mainz and is fifth, a position that would qualify for the next Champions League.

In addition, St Pauli won 3-0 against Freiburg, Wolfsburg drew 2-2 against Stuttgart and Mönchengladbach won 1-0 at home against Unión Berlin.