Bayern shows Leverkusen the limits

Leverkusen “That’s the difference,” said a resigned Leverkusen fan in the 52nd minute. Thomas Müller had just made it 3-1 right after Leverkusen failed to take advantage of excellent opportunities to equalize 2-2. These were the decisive moments in a high-class cup fight, which the record champions won 3-1 at Bayer Leverkusen. FCB had previously led 2-0 early on with goals from Javi Martinez and Robert Lewandowski, but Leverkusen fought back and made it 2-1 after 15 minutes through Lars Bender. After the 3:1, Thiago and Müller quickly increased to 5:1. After Bailey connected, Müller again made it 6-2.

Even if the result was very clear: The young Werkself proved that they are currently Germany’s second-best team and demanded everything from Bayern. Sometimes things went too fast for the record cup winners, but in Ulreich they had an excellent man in goal who almost made Manuel Neuer forget.

At the “Werkself”, coach Heiko Herrlich initially left his winger Lein Bailey on the bench. Bellarabi had made the better impression recently. At Bayern, David Alaba was fit again on the left in the back four.
From the first second, the game delivered what the fans had hoped for. Both teams went on the offensive – and the guests scored the first effective goal in the third minute: With a short free-kick variant, the record champions surprised Leverkusen, who were not always in a good mood this season, on the wrong foot. It was then Javi Martinez who pushed in flat to make it 1-0, with Lewandowski still having a wafer-thin foot on it.
The Werkself could have equalized in return, but FCB keeper Ulreich saved Kevin Volland’s header. Leverkusen looked good up front, but they were completely overwhelmed at the back in this phase: In the 9th minute, Ribery did what he wanted with Lars Bender and sent a sensitive cross to Lewandowski, who was completely free, and the volley went 2-0 into the long corner met.

Bayern was clearly better, but Leverkusen’s luck helped after 15 minutes: first they got a free kick, which the always convincing referee Daniel Siebert shouldn’t have given. And then Lars Bender, after a ping-pong bustle, the ball practically fell on his head – and he nodded off mentally to make it 2-1.

The goal awoke the spirits of the Werkself and their dedicated attack threw the guests a little bit off course. Both teams continued to play with the highest intensity and pushed for the next goal. There were chances here and there, Bayer delivered the most spectacular scene with a powerful shot from Bellarabi, which Ulreich parried excellently (37th minute).

Müller shows what efficiency is

For Heiko Herrlich, the problem arose towards the end of the first half that his two full-backs were in dire need: Lars Bender was limping badly and Retsos on the left was in danger of yellow-red – he had seen the yellow card early on after a rude kick against Kimmich and then made a slight tactical foul on Robben. Accordingly, Herrlich made a courageous offensive change: Leon Bailey came on for Retsos, Lars Bender was able to continue playing. Bayern also changed their left-back: Rafinha came on for the injured David Alaba.

In the second half, the game didn’t match the score at all: the team in the lead ran up – and Bayer Leverkusen countered. Volland and Bellarabi had brilliant opportunities to equalize in the 50th minute, but Ulreich was able to parry. Practically in return, Thomas Müller showed what efficiency is: The national player accepted Thiago’s pass technically and gave Bernd Leno no chance.

The 3:1 caused a break in the game. Bayer got into disarray and Bayern used it brutally from then on: Thiago’s 4-1 was preceded by a combination that was just as strong as four minutes later Müller’s 5-1. The game was decided early, but far from over. Bailey had his class and smashed a free kick wonderfully into the net to make it 2:5, but this aroused the Munich anger. Thomas Müller increased shortly afterwards to 6:2. And even after that, the guests still wanted and had the opportunity to increase to 7:2.

While Bayern are now likely to be hired out with a B-Elf in Hanover before the Champions League smash against Real Madrid, Leverkusen have the next extremely important game to play: The Werkself have to show whether they are ready for Europe with their neighbor Dortmund, who are tied on the same points is top class.

Information about the cup on the DFB homepage

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Bayer Leverkusen cup matches 2017/18

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Cup matches of FC Bayern Munich 2017/18