FC Bayern Munich lost the top game against Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 on matchday 21 of the Bundesliga and is now five points behind the league leaders. In a generally weak team, two players dropped again. The grades and individual reviews of the FCB players.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, notes: Manuel Neuer
Suffered from capsular problems in his left knee in the last few days, but was fit in time for the big game. Neuer made several devastating passes, such as in the 12th and 15th minutes. He saved the long shots and had no chance of conceding the first goal. The second one was also difficult to maintain, but perhaps it was for a new guy in top shape. Before the 3-0 defeat in stoppage time, he stormed forward from a corner kick, meaning his goal was lost. Grade: 4.5.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, notes: Noussair Mazraoui
In the 3-4-3 system, he often moved far forward as a right wing player, but did not provide enough impetus there. Weak finish in the 27th minute. Against the ball without any notable mistakes. Grade: 4.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, notes: Dayot Upamecano
As with Neuer, Upamecano also had doubts until the end as to whether he would be enough for the starting eleven. After recovering from a torn muscle fiber in his thigh, he was the right link in a three-man chain (without the last-placed de Ligt), one of three changes compared to the 3-1 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Upamecano put on a classic Upamecano performance – between genius and madness. In the 11th he gave Adli a good chance with a big mistake, in the 18th he saved well and in the 42nd he even made a fantastic save. At times Upamecano made some Lucio-like moves. Substituted in the 60th. Grade: 4.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, notes: Eric Dier
Third starting eleven appearance in a row for the winter newcomer, this time as the central link in a three-man chain. A day before the Super Bowl, Dier gave a quarterback of sorts. He directed with lots of gestures and repeatedly tried long passes, especially in the early stages, but most of them found no takers. In the 9th he carelessly misused the ball, in the 45th he also made an unnecessary bad pass, in the 55th he shot at Goretzka in his own penalty area. Before the 0:3 he let himself be eaten by Jeremie Frimpong. Grade: 5.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, notes: Mi-Jae Kim
Only returning from the Asian Cup on Wednesday, Tuchel put him straight into the starting line-up. Kim was FC Bayern’s most inconspicuous central defender; he showed a solid, unspectacular performance. Grade: 4.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, notes: Sacha Boey
One of Tuchel’s several starting eleven surprises, right-back Boey started on the left and was preferred to Raphael Guerreiro. The winter newcomer from Galatasaray celebrated his starting eleven debut for FC Bayern, but it wasn’t going to be a happy one. Boey was obviously uncomfortable with the unfamiliar position. He caused the 0-1 defeat by letting Bayern loanee Josip Stanisic escape behind him. Often too impetuous in duels, he also quickly fell to the ground several times. Grade: 5.5.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, notes: Aleksandar Pavlovic
Will Kimmich, who recently injured his shoulder, make it into the starting line-up? That was probably the most explosive question before the big game. Although, according to Tuchel, Kimmich had “trained almost 100 percent”., the coach again trusted Pavlovic and Goretzka in the double six. After two gala performances, Pavlovic, like the rest of his team, appeared weak this time and was a bit disoriented before the 2-0 defeat. Substituted in the 60th. Grade: 5.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, notes: Leon Goretzka
Goretzka scored FC Bayern’s first goal in the 13th minute, but missed. He hardly found his way into duels against the ball. Grade: 5.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, notes: Leroy Sané
Offensively ineffective, before the 0-1 with very weak defensive behavior. At first Sané complained with lots of gestures, then he switched gears too slowly: Robert Andrich was allowed to cross to the goalscorer Stanisic without being forced. FC Bayern also lost the most balls. Grade: 5.5.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, sheet music: Jamal Musiala
Although he visibly tried, he was unsuccessful in his actions. Musiala did not pose any serious threat. Clear loser of the duel with the similarly highly talented Florian Wirtz. Grade: 5.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, notes: Harry Kane
Kane wasn’t involved in FC Bayern’s game at all, he only recorded 18 ball actions – although he repeatedly dropped into midfield. Grade: 5.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Bayern, grades: substitute
Joshua Kimmich: Came on for Upamecano in the 60th minute, which resulted in a tactical reorganization. Kimmich moved into defensive midfield alongside Goretzka, and from then on the Munich team operated with a back four. Kimmich was present immediately, but no longer provided any decisive impulses. Grade: 4.
Thomas Müller: Replaced Pavlovic in the 60th and lined up on ten behind Kane. Remained without a shot on goal. Grade: 4.
Mathy’s phone: Replaced Goretzka in the 71st minute. No rating.
Raphael Guerreiro: Came on as a substitute for Boey in the final stages. No rating.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: Arrived at the same time as Guerreiro and replaced Musiala. No rating.