Bayern and Leipzig share the spoils

FC Bayern were held to a goalless draw by RB Leipzig on Sunday evening, staying top of the league. Bayern were dominant in the first half whereas the visitors had the better chances after the interval, but ultimately neither side could break the deadlock.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich, Thiago and Leon Goretzka took up station in midfield, with Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry out wide and Robert Lewandowski up front. Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Hernández came on for Gnabry and Boateng midway through the second half, Kingsley Coman taking over from Goretzka in the closing stages.

Bayern dominant

The 75,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena saw Bayern in the driving seat at first. A Thiago shot gave notice of their approach, RB keeper Peter Gulácsi making a fine save. Bayern racked up a number of corners and crosses but failed to convert them, with Julian Nagelsmann's men looking to strike on the break. Goretzka saw a shot blocked before Timo Werner miscued at the other hand.

Bayern had a couple of half-chances but failed to deliver the final pass, Lewandowski seeing an effort blocked before Gnabry fired wide. Gulácsi denied Lewandowski before match official Marco Fritz blew for half-time.

No goals

The visitors enjoyed a spell in command after the restart, Bayern struggling with stray passing. Marcel Sabitzer rifled over the bar from 12 yards before Alaba made a crucial block against Werner, with Neuer out of goal following a misplaced Boateng header. Werner fired wide of the far post, sub Coutinho hitting the side-netting at the other end.

The clash was evenly balanced now, with clear-cut chances thin on the ground again. Goretzka had only Gulácsi to beat with ten minutes to go, but the keeper kept the scores level with a strong save. Thiago saw a shot blocked, a Kimmich free-kick finding no takers. Neither side was capable of the moment of inspiration to break the deadlock.

The result means Bayern have 43 points from 21 matches, one clear of Leipzig. The Bavarians will be back in action next Sunday, when they travel to face Köln in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen