18-3 shots on goal, 70-30 percent possession, 714-322 passes played, 55-45 percent tackles won. Only one statistic didn't reflect FC Bayern's dominance following an intense 90 minutes in the Bundesliga's top game in Munich on Saturday evening. Unfortunately for Bayern, it was the most important one: the German record champions tied 1-1 with the current champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen. “We put down a marker today in the manner in which we played,” Bayern's board member for sport Max Eberl proved satisfied with the team's performance. The Bavarians came within the width of a post of claiming the next home win.
The Bayern players, however, seemed less satisfied following a 90-minute battle against a hard-defending Leverkusen opposition. Aleksandar Pavlović, for example, had thrown his shin guards away in disgust following the final whistle: “We had a lot of chances but didn’t get the reward in the end, perhaps because we just lacked that final ball or finish in front of goal. We can be pleased with our performance; we dominated the entire game.” Manuel Neuer was just as unsatisfied with the draw following his return in goal from injury. Against last season's double winners, Neuer hadn't been forced to save a single shot in 95 minutes. “We deserved more. We had the chances and the goal we conceded was annoying”, the 38-year-old commented. According to the Bayern captain, the Reds had “clearly been the better team.”
Like an Oktoberfest brass band
Right from the start of this Oktoberfest home game, Bayern forced Leverkusen deep into their own half. After last weekend's win 5-0 win against Werder Bremen, head coach Vincent Kompany had decided to replace Konrad Laimer and Kingsley Coman with Raphaël Guerreiro and Serge Gnabry. The plan was clear: just like the volume of a brass band in an Oktoberfest tent, FCB wanted to overwhelm Bayer 04 from the very beginning.
Leverkusen didn't seem particularly surprised, though, as they chose a passive and deep defensive approach. Within a short period of time, Bayern had established dominance on the pitch, albeit without creating many opportunities to score.
The only thing missing from Bayern's game was the decisive key to unlock the Leverkusen defence. Jamal Musiala was involved in virtually every dangerous offensive move by Bayern and came close to the breakthrough before German international Jonathan Tah closed it just as swiftly. Following a magical solo run by Musiala, Tah was forced to bring Bayern's youngster down in the nick of time. Michael Olise's free-kick attempt merely missed the crossbar by inches (22').
It was all Bayern at the Allianz Arena, and the hosts were now able to create more and more pressure. The scent of an imminent goal in the air was nearly as intense as the smell of burnt almonds wafting across Munich's beer festival. Unfortunately for Bayern and to the surprise of everyone watching, however, the visitors scored the first goal of the night. Following Leverkusen's first corner, Granit Xhaka flicked the ball on to Robert Andrich, who delivered an unstoppable shot from 24 yards and scored with the Werkself's very first attempt.
“We can respond well to going behind”
Now, Leverkusen played with a little more confidence following the 1-0 lead, managed to hold on to possession and pass the ball more than before. Any attempts to go forward, however, were immediately nipped in the bud by a strong Bayern defence led by an outstanding Minjae Kim. “We showed today that we can respond well to going behind,” board member for sport Max Eberl said after the game. After all, Bayern managed to equalise when a cross delivered by Michael Olise was cleared straight to Aleksandar Pavlović. The shot by the Munich-born midfielder proved too hard and precise for Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký, who got a hand on the ball but couldn't prevent it from hitting the top corner (40').
This “beautiful goal” (Eberl) apparently wasn't as difficult to score as it looked: “We motivated each other, stayed positive, kept pushing and then I got my goal. I just thought, I'll have a go,” Pavlović explained.
After the break, Kompany's side managed to play their marching music with even more fervour, volume and determination. However, Leverkusen weren't dancing to the tune and the opposition box seemed cursed for Bayern, as Serge Gnabry's chance proved after 49 minutes. After his first attempt from Harry Kane's cross had hit the post, the follow-up bounced off the crossbar. “We played against a really top opponent and we can be happy with our performance; we had it under control for the most part,” Gnabry commented.
The vociferous Bayern fans felt even more despair a few minutes later, when Leverkusen stopper Hrádecký miraculously managed to block a shot by Olise with his leg. “You could clearly see that we wanted to win,” said Eberl. “In the end though, we lacked that little edge in our finishing.”
Fresh legs in attack
Towards the end, Kompany added fresh legs to Bayern's attack and brought on Coman, Laimer, Leroy Sané and Thomas Müller, while Kane was forced off the pitch with a knock. But in spite of a fresh breath of air in attack, the Munich men failed to score due to some bad luck and an opponent defending the draw to the end. “The pressing was good, as was the way in which we came from behind, fought for every second ball and created chances," Kompany analysed. We had several good chances. It’s a shame that we didn’t win but we’ll keep going, there are still so many games.”
In the end, the Oktoberfest atmosphere was saved by Christoph Freund: “We don't have to feel like losers today. In the end, it was a very good performance, even if we’re not satisfied with the result. But that’s football.”
Here's the full post-match reaction:
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