Bayern beaten in Leverkusen

FC Bayern were beaten 2-1 away at Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday evening. Joshua Kimmich put Bayern in front midway through the first half, but Leverkusen were awarded two penalties in the second half, Exequiel Palacios converting both to turn the game on its head.

The Bavarians lined up with Yann Sommer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano in defence. Joshua Kimmich anchored a midfield featuring João Cancelo, Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sané and Alphonso Davies, with Thomas Müller and Sadio Mané up front.

Joshua on target

After referee Tobias Stieler whistled play underway, the home side got off to a good start, Sommer making strong saves against Kerem Demirbay and Jeremie Frimpong. Palacios fired over but Bayern soon took the lead with their first chance, Kimmich finding the net with the help of a deflection.

Sommer denied Moussa Diaby, who saw another effort blocked before Munich settled into their controlled possession game, with clear-cut chances at a premium before half-time.

Tough going

Julian Nagelsmann brought on Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Jamal Musiala for Cancelo, Mané and Müller in an effort to raise the momentum. Amine Adli fired wide before Sané aimed too high at the other end. Pavard soon upended Adli in the box, Stieler pointing to the spot after reviewing what he had originally deemed simulation. Palacios converted to level the scores.

Josip Stanišić took over from Pavard now, and Goretzka saw a header saved before Musiala fired just wide. FCB were then behind when Stieler awarded a penalty after Upamecano's challenge on Adli, again following VAR intervention, with Palacios dispatching. Mathys Tel came on for Goretzka as Bayern went looking for a reply. Sané saw an effort saved and Gnabry had a shot parried, with Coman miscuing the rebound. Further chances came and went for Sané, Davies and de Ligt, but another goal just refused to come.

The result means Bayern have 52 points from 25 matches, one short of Borussia Dortmund. A large number of FCB players will be away on national team duty before the Reds return to action on 1 April when they entertain Dortmund in a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen