Resolute Reds down Leverkusen

FC Bayern beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 on Tuesday evening, extending their lead in the table to ten points. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Joshua Kimmich handed Bayern a two-goal lead early in the first half. Bayern dominated throughout but another goal refused to come. The victory, combined with Leipzig's defeat to Köln, means league leaders FCB can wrap up the championship title on Saturday.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, Lucas Hernández and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Kimmich and David Alaba anchored a midfield featuring Kingsley Coman, Thomas Müller and Jamal Musiala, with Choupo-Moting as sole striker. Tanguy Nianzou, Leroy Sané and Leon Goretzka took over from Boateng, Coman and Müller after the hour mark, Bouna Sarr and Christopher Scott coming on for Pavard and Musiala with ten minutes to go.

Two early goals

The German record champions were dominant from the off, although Neuer was the first keeper to be called into action, beating Leon Bailey to a through-ball. Bayern drew first blood when Alaba's pinpoint pass found Müller, who was denied by keeper Lukas Hradecky, but Choupo-Moting fired home from the rebound. Coman miscued from the edge of the box, but FCB twisted the knife when Kimmich blasted in from distance following a clearance.

Musiala tested Hradecky before Neuer denied Patrik Schick at the other end. Bayern increasingly resorted to efforts from distance, Alaba seeing two shots blocked and another one saved. Hradecky parried a Kimmich effort before making an outstanding save to deny an Alaba free-kick, and the sides turned round with Bayern two goals to the good.

Half-chances galore

Leverkusen enjoyed a spell in command shortly after the restart but failed to create anything of attacking note, and Munich soon reasserted their authority. Coman fired over and a Kimmich shot was blocked before Goretzka saw an effort deflected wide.

Bayern had the ball in the net for a third time when Choupo-Moting beat Hradecky, but the linesman's flag was raised for offside. Sané blasted over before Leverkusen's Karim Bellarabi hit the bar at the other end. Musiala aimed wide, Neuer denying Nadiem Amiri. Hradecky saved from Musiala and Neuer proved equal to another Amiri shot. Goretzka blasted over before Edmond Tapsoba missed from close range, but the offside flag was raised in any case, and Bayern sealed three points.

The result means Bayern have 71 points from 30 matches, ten clear of Leipzig, who lost 2-1 to Köln. The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday, when they travel to face Mainz, and a victory would seal a ninth straight championship title for Bayern.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen