The Bundesliga returned after a thrilling international break with RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich squaring up against each other in what was the standout match of the Bundesliga game week.
Both teams lined up in the 4-2-3-1 formation. The mercurial Lewandowski spearheaded the attack for the Bavarians while new signing, Andre Silva started for the Leipzig. For Julian Nagelsmann, this was a homecoming that could get very uncomfortable. He had to field an XI consisting of players who barely had time to train together since the end of the international break.
The match started with Bayern Munich attacking as soon as the game began. They were difficult for Leipzig to contain. Leipzig conceded a penalty in the 11th minute which was cooly slotted away by Lewandowski.
Then it became end-to-end stuff up until the 42nd minute when Gnabry hit the turf clutching his ankle and had to be replaced by Jamal Musiala. Nagelsmann has confirmed that he was subbed off as a precautionary measure which would be music to Bavarian ears.
The central defensive duo of Lucas Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano was brilliant in the first half. They kept the Leipzig forwards at bay with relative ease. The Upamecano-Silva battle was fun to watch with Dayot getting the upper hand on Silva. Bayern created better chances but struggled to get the final touch in the box.
The second half started with lightning pace as Musiala slotted home the second of the match after a sweeping move from Die Rekordmeister. Andre Silva then put the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled off for offside.
Musiala turned provider in the 54th minute when Leroy Sane finished off a pass from the young German for the third of the evening sending the away fans into a rapturous cheer. Leipzig were knocked off their strides at this moment as a majority of their players looked distraught at this point.
Marcel Sabitzer made his debut in a Bayern shirt against his former club and almost scored a goal had it not been for Peter Gulasci’s heroics.
Then appeared a rare moment of inspiration in the 58th minute for Leipzig as Konrad Laimer pulled off a worldie from the top drawer. It was a sign of hope which wasn’t to be as the tempo of the game reduced afterward with only a few shooting chances in between.
Jean-Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored the fourth goal for the away side after replacing Lewandowski to squash any hopes of a comeback in the 92nd minute and ensure that all three points were safely secured.
Every season, Bundesliga fans hope that one side can contend with this Bayern side and they prove how much stronger they are than everyone else. It is the hope that kills. Bayern look like they are finding their feet under the new manager after opening day struggles while Jesse Marsch continues to struggle.
Up next, Bayern take on Barcelona in the Champions League while Leipzig will square off with Man city In the same competition.
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