FC Bayern complained after conceding a goal, Leipzig also railed in vain
FC Bayern started 2023 with a draw at RB Leipzig. However, Yann Sommer’s first goal against in Munich’s jersey was preceded by a controversial duel. Later, the Saxons also complained in vain.
SThey were the better team for long stretches, but in the end it was only enough for a draw. The Bundesliga competition can now hope a bit because FC Bayern missed the perfect start to the rest of the season with Yann Sommer’s debut. The record champion did not get more than 1: 1 (1: 0) one day after signing the new number one at pursuer RB Leipzig.
With a win this Saturday at VfL Wolfsburg, SC Freiburg could move up to two points behind Munich, RB remains six points behind. “The distance remains the same. That’s valuable for us,” said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann after the final whistle.
The Munich dominated the first half and set the first exclamation mark. The post prevented Serge Gnabry’s shot from making it 1-0 (8th), and the referee prevented Leon Goretzka from successfully completing the shot. Daniel Siebert disallowed the goal after Matthijs de Ligt had fouled André Silva (30′).
The main focus, however, was on goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Before it started, the new man high-fived each player individually. “He has no reason to be nervous,” Nagelsmann emphasized immediately before kick-off on “DAZN”. Sommer didn’t seem nervous either, he had the first ball contact after almost 40 seconds. Not dangerous, it was just a bad pass to the top of Leipzig. “It hasn’t all worked 100 percent yet, but that’s pretty clear after such a short time,” Sommer said after the game.
Proper debut: Yann Sommer made his debut in goal for FC Bayern
Quelle: Getty Images/Stuart Franklin
In the minutes that followed, the 34-year-old Swiss showed that he was a goalkeeper, as Bayern were still looking for their way forward. But when the Munich offensive let the ball run quickly and played off their offensive class, it became dangerous. Like in the 37th minute: Bayern made the switch quickly and played purposefully forwards via Leroy Sané and Gnabry, where Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored his seventh goal of the season to make it a deserved 1-0.
And RB? If the Leipzigers had a chance to counterattack, the ball at least ran smoothly to the Bayern penalty area. The long-term absence of striker Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner’s bank role after his syndesmosis ligament rupture did not do the RB offensive any good. Playmaker Emil Forsberg tried the first shot at the Bayern goal in the 22nd minute – too weak to seriously test Sommer.
Only the Bavarians complain, then Leipzig
The hoped-for cracker of the champions against the cup winners was not in this phase. RB tried, but remained harmless, as with André Silva’s solo, whose dangling in Bayern’s penalty area was promptly punished by ex-Leipziger Dayot Upamecano by winning the ball.
After the break, RB continued as before the half-time whistle – until Bayern captain Joshua Kimmich played a bad pass in his own half, which Leipzig used this time. The ball landed several times at defender Halstenberg, who had moved up and didn’t give Sommer a chance from close range (52′).
A hit that enraged Bayern. The only consequence of the Munich protests, which had recognized a foul play on Joshua Kimmich, was a yellow card for complaining for Goretzka. “It’s his turn, but in the end I trust the referees. If it’s not a crystal clear foul, then so be it,” said Nagelsmann.
In general, it was now more turbulent. When Dayot Upamecano was practically the last man to foul Dominik Szoboszlai, RB fans and coach Marco Rose demanded the red card – but there was only yellow. Bayern looked shattered, time for Werner. The center forward, who missed the World Cup due to his injury, came on for Forsberg. The fans didn’t get many more chances, however, and Müller shot just wide (90′ + 3′).
