With brutal ruthlessness, FC Bayern more than saved the dream of an invincible season in the top game at RB Leipzig. Led by star Harry Kane and national player Serge Gnabry, the Munich team turned a 0-1 deficit into a top-class Bundesliga clash and ultimately triumphed impressively 5-1 (0-1).
In front of 47,800 spectators in the sold-out Leipzig stadium, Romulo (20th minute) took advantage of one of Leipzig’s numerous chances to take the lead. It all looked like a victorious revenge for the 0-6 worst defeat in Leipzig’s Bundesliga history from the first leg.
Emotions when saying goodbye to Kevin Kampl
But then everything turned out differently: Gnabry (50th) and Kane (67th) scored coldly after individual mistakes by the Saxons. Jonathan Tah (67th), Aleksandar Pavlovic (83rd) and Michael Olise (88th) perfectly dismantled the pursuer in 21 minutes.
Before the spectacle began, however, it was time for a little emotion. On Bayern’s side, national player Jamal Musiala was back in the squad for the first time since he broke his fibula last July. According to the league, captain Manuel Neuer, who had never lost against Leipzig before, played his 584th competitive game for Bayern and drew level with Franz Beckenbauer.
At Leipzig, Kevin Kampl was farewelled before kick-off after eight and a half years; Benjamin Henrich’s name could be read on the line-up sheet. The national player tore his Achilles tendon in the 5-1 defeat in Munich on December 20, 2024 – and is now back.
Leipzig put enormous pressure on Bayern, who had only completed the best first half of the season for a Bundesliga team on Wednesday. There shouldn’t be a 0:6 like in the first leg this Saturday evening. With a bit of luck, Leipzig could have scored three goals after ten minutes alone. But Christoph Baumgartner’s shot (3′) flew just over, Romulo (5′) was denied by Neuer from a few meters, and Antonio Nusa (7′) pushed the ball past the empty goal.
Leipzig is moving at an enormous pace and is being rewarded
Then Bayern entered the game. Luis Diaz’s long-range shot (11th) was too central and therefore too harmless. After sprinting across half the pitch, Lennart Karl (14th) apparently lacked the strength to precisely serve the completely free-standing Diaz in the penalty area.
Leipzig continued to set an enormous pace – and was rewarded. David Raum started steeply down the left into Bayern’s penalty area, crossed and Romulo got to the ball quicker than Jonathan Tah. The Brazilian celebrated his sixth league goal, and his family, who had come from home, celebrated in the stands.
Nusa (24th) had the second goal for the Saxons towards the end of a fast-paced 30 minutes. The Norwegian ran towards Neuer alone, but – probably a little hastily – hit the ball over the goal. Anyone who doesn’t take advantage of their chances against Bayern usually gets paid. Shortly before half-time, RB goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi (39th) prevented this with a daring save against Kane, who was ready to finish.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany reacted and brought on the recently injured Joshua Kimmich for Leon Goretzka after the half-time break. And the receipt came. Baumgartner improperly accepted a pass in midfield, Dayot Upamecano won the ball and passed it directly to Gnabry. The 30-year-old finished dry into the far corner.
Bayern were now pushing for the lead. Michael Olise replaced Karl and should provide even more pressure on the right wing. First it was Kane and Kimmich (60th) who failed with a double chance. On the other hand, Neuer parried a shot from Romulo (65′).
Individual class should decide the game – or individual mistakes. After a cross from Olise, Ridle Baku slipped away in the penalty area and Kane, who was guarded by him, mercilessly drove the ball into the net. Neuer parried Yan Diomande’s breakthrough (72nd) superbly.
Bayern simply acted mercilessly and inflicted another blow on Leipzig. After a corner, Tah made everything clear – and Leipzig ran into the open knife twice. Pavlovic and Olise each increased after a counterattack within a few minutes.
