Manuel Neuer
Was ill with Corona during the international break, but got fit in time to stand in the fresh September air in Munich for an hour and a half on Friday evening. Saved briefly against Amine Adli in the 64th minute, even cheered with a double fist, otherwise didn’t have much to do and was able to deal with cool artistry such as throws behind the back – a pleasant change from the past few weeks.
Benjamin Pavard
After a few minor injury problems and a two-week international break, it was almost forgotten that there was an early phase this season when Pavard was one of Bayern’s most conspicuous players, especially because he always appeared in the opposing penalty area. Apparently this time had the task of approaching things a little more conservatively, which was obviously good for the team – even if it meant that Pavard’s performance could be summarized as helpful to the team, but not particularly noticeable.
Dayot Upamecano
You could still remember that the central defender had not been one of the best in Munich in the past games. On Friday evening, however, he played as if he had taken a course in long, opening passes from his predecessor Jerome Boateng during the international break: he was creative in opening the game and secure in defence. The latter wasn’t difficult either, against overly tame Leverkusen players.
Matthijs de Ligt
The undisputed starter in the absence of Lucas Hernández, a role in which he is clearly comfortable. Always played organized in a duo with Upamecano and didn’t let the surprise show that the video study before the game had actually indicated that a world-class striker named Patrik Schick was playing at Bayer Leverkusen – of whom, however, there was so little to see that de Ligt one had a relatively relaxed working day, which he almost embellished with a goal from distance.
Alphonso Davies
As is well known, will take part in a World Cup for Canada in the winter for the first time, but not as a full-back, but much further up the field, where you can play a more active role. Used Friday night to train for exactly that and had little reason to engage in defensive duels. But should still work on his sometimes imprecise passes into the penalty area.
Joshua Kimmich
Had to put up with criticism from Philipp Lahm during the week, who appealed to Kimmich to play a little more defensively. That was special because there are only two players in the history of German football who only need a little finger to count how often they have been criticized: Lahm and Kimmich. After 90 minutes against Leverkusen, any criticism of Kimmich should fade away. On the one hand because he played seriously again as usual, on the other hand because it would have been completely pointless to be more defensive against Leverkusen. Lahm will see it that way too.
Marcel Sabitzer
Had to play as a disguised left winger for the Austrian national team during the week, found that that was “not my favorite position”. Made it relatively clear against Leverkusen where he prefers to play: at FC Bayern headquarters, where he shared defensive and offensive tasks with Joshua Kimmich in a strikingly balanced manner. A Sabitzer in this form helps the people of Munich a lot in their search for structure and creativity. However, it could be that Leon Goretzka will soon have to make friends with the position as a disguised left winger if he wants to play.
Leroy Sane
Has been sporting a new, more aerodynamic hairstyle for a few days, which probably gives him an advantage over the well-known curls, which would not have withstood any tests in the wind tunnel, in the hundredth of a second range. However, since the Leverkusen back four stayed in the minute and second range for long stretches of the game, Sané had an easy time. Was released frequently, ran wild through the ranks, was a constant asset and confirmed what has actually been known for a few weeks: Is in good shape.
Jamal Musiala
Good form – until recently, Jamal Musiala was also certified as earthly. Uli Hoeneß said during the week: “People thought the Messiah was playing for Germany” and actually meant that as criticism towards those who had too high expectations of Musiala’s game. But what should you do when the 19-year-old plays like he did on Friday? In any case, Leverkusen’s defenders seemed dazzled by the glare of Messiah’s apparition – pardon, Musialas – and threw themselves on the ground several times in front of him in droves, which led to an assist, a goal and the clear realization that the best Munich player on Friday evening had the shirt with that of now wore at sacred number 42.
Sadio Mané
Got the ball in the penalty area in the 39th minute and, due to the only hinted at Leverkusen’s division of space on the defensive, felt like he had several minutes to do what he’d done too often in the past few weeks: think. Due to a lack of self-confidence, Mané had often missed a shot on goal in such situations, but this time he dared and scored to make it 3-0 early on. A goal that let him, the team and the entire stadium breathe a sigh of relief and clearly led to more courage: However, Mané’s second goal was disallowed by VAR.
Thomas Müller
Conducted his offensive with a similar verve as the conductor of the brass band from the village of Baiern, which had played the parade march before kick-off. If Munich’s game before the international break had seemed as complicated as a twelve-tone music composition, it now seemed pleasantly straightforward. Also because this time Müller used the well-known three-four time: played remarkably straightforward and looked for the many spaces in the Bayer defense, which gave the individual players like Musiala and Sané the opportunity to play solos. Famous conductors receive bouquets of flowers at the end of their performance, Müller received a pass from the opposing goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and was allowed to score 4:0. After that he actually apologized to the Finn for having to use his mistake (photo).
substitute
Serge Gnabry could have used a goal like Mané, he also got the opportunity – but remained goalless and has to wait for the next build-up opponent (who may already be guest in Munich on Tuesday and is called Viktoria Pilsen). Leon Goretzka came into play for Sabitzer and therefore did not have to play as a disguised left winger. He showed that he could do that with a sprint in the 89th minute, where he just missed the side netting. Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui were allowed to play a little.
