23rd matchday
Tuchel’s liberation against Leipzig thanks to double packer Kane
Harry Kane (r) scored both goals for FC Bayern. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
In the first game after Tuchel’s decision to leave at the end of the season, Bayern pulled themselves together to win against RB Leipzig. Once again you can rely on the goal machine.
The farewell tour of Thomas Tuchel as Bayern coach started with the hoped-for liberating victory thanks to double packer Harry Kane.
In the 1000th Bundesliga home game, Tuchel and the Munich star ensemble were able to celebrate striker Kane’s 27th goal of the season in stoppage time to make it 2-1 (0-0) against fearful opponents RB Leipzig. Kane also made it 1-0 (56th). With the late success, the record champions stopped the previous series of defeats and remain at least within sight of the league dominant Bayer Leverkusen, who are eight points better.
The decision to separate at the end of the season had the effect that the Bayern management had hoped for – especially in terms of passion. However, how unstable the Munich team is in the new year was shown by the interim equalization. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer twice prevented Benjamin Sesko from making it 1-1. During the RB striker’s successful third attempt, the Munich captain was powerless because Leon Goretzka deflected the ball during the rescue attempt (70).
Tuchel was unable to make full use of his new freedom of choice without taking into account its possible long-term effects in the lineup given a long list of failures. Joshua Kimmich had to help out at right back. “He’s a complete professional,” said Tuchel about the international player’s transfer from the center of midfield, where youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic directed convincingly.
Tuchel watched most of the action sitting on a silver equipment box. And he saw a Bayern team that tried very hard and started powerfully, but which lacked self-confidence after three defeats – and also a bit of luck. Harry Kane completed an attack via Pavlovic and Raphael Guerreiro with his head. But RB goalkeeper Janis Blaswich directed the ball onto the post (5th).
The current Bayern situation was repeatedly reflected in the actions of Leroy Sané. The national player, who embodied world class in the first few months of the season, wasted balls and, despite his best efforts, failed to finish on goal (34′). Sané then unfortunately blocked a shot from Kane, who even tried an overhead kick, with his back (42′). So it remained goalless at halftime against a team from Leipzig that largely lacked the sharpness of the last, outstanding victories in Munich (3:1 in the league, 3:0 in the Supercup). Coach Marco Rose struggled a lot on the sidelines.
After the break, the guests entered the game offensively. Amadou Haidara tested national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with a long-range shot, and Mohamed Simakan shot past from the corner (53′). And then? Met Kane again. The Englishman’s form is rising again. But there is too much missing in the Bayern game, including the quality of defending a lead. The now snappy, determined Leipzig team got shots and equalized – and then Kane struck again shortly before the end.