Status: 05.03.2022 6:30 p.m
FC Bayern couldn’t get beyond a draw against Bayer Leverkusen because the Werkself successfully slowed down the offensive of the Bundesliga leaders.
Bayer Leverkusen took a deserved point with the 1-1 draw at FC Bayern on Saturday (05.03.2022). Niklas Süle gave the league leaders the lead in the 18th minute after a corner kick with a dropkick, taking advantage of the confusion in the away defense.
A misfire by Munich enabled Leverkusen to equalize at the other end, which was surprising at the time: after a free kick by Kerem Demirbay, Thomas Müller deflected the ball past the completely bewildered keeper Sven Ulreich into his own goal (36′).
The league leaders from Munich were able to extend their lead to nine points with 59 points after the game from pursuers Dortmund had to be postponed in Mainz. Third in the table (45 points), Leverkusen are clearly on course for the Champions League.
Süle to Hradecky-Patzer at the speed of thought
The 25,000 admitted spectators saw a top-class game right from the start. The superior Munich took control against well staggered Leverkusen. It was therefore dangerous for the first time after a free kick, but Robert Lewandowski shot at Müller (16th).
The lead also fell by a standard. After Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky took a corner, Süle took advantage of the confusion with a powerful shot from close range.
Thomas Müller with own goal premiere
Leverkusen, who had the first chance of the game through Amine Adli (8th), were then under pressure. But in a phase in which Bayern seemed to have everything under control, Müller equalized after Demirbay’s free kick and a misunderstanding with goalkeeper Ulreich. It was the first time in Müller’s career that he scored his own goal in the Bundesliga.
After that, Bayern wobbled several times and were very lucky that Adli hit the post and Ulreich made a brilliant save from Charles Aranguiz.
Leverkusen dangerous until the final whistle
Shortly after the break it was Hradecky who saved against Jamal Musiala. In general, Bayern had more control again, so substitute Marcel Sabitzer failed to stand free against the Leverkusen keeper. Otherwise, the Munich team often lacked speed and determination. Bayer 04 remained solid defensively and were dangerous on the counter until the end.
Leverkusen first in Bergamo, then derby against Cologne
The Munich team experienced a mixed dress rehearsal for the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League on Tuesday (March 8th, 2022) against RB Salzburg, where Bayern need a win after the 1-1 draw in the first leg. The Bundesliga continues on Saturday (March 12th, 2022) in Hoffenheim.
On Thursday (March 10th, 2022), Bayer Leverkusen will play in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League at Atalanta Bergamo before the derby against 1. FC Köln on Sunday (March 13th, 2022).
Source: sportschau.de