Bayern Munich cruise past Bayer Leverkusen to maintain perfect start
Bayern Munich extended their perfect start to the season with a commanding 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, with goals from Serge Gnabry, Nicolas Jackson and a Loïc Badé own goal ending the visitors' 37-game unbeaten away run.
Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer LeverkusenGoals: 1-0 Gnabry 25’ (assist: Bischof), 2-0 Jackson 31’ (assist: Laimer), 3-0 Badé o.g. 44’
Vincent Kompany's Bayern came into the clash having set a new European top-five league record for wins at the start of a season with 14 consecutive victories across all competitions, while Kasper Hjulmand's Leverkusen had collected 16 from 18 possible points since his arrival in September.
The record champions notably opted to rotate their star-studded squad, with Harry Kane, Luis Díaz, and Michael Olise all starting on the bench, while Leverkusen were without the injured Malik Tillman against his former club. Alejandro Grimaldo was also only on the bench.
Bayern dominated possession from the start but initially found it difficult to create clear chances against a deep-sitting Leverkusen defence that carried a threat on the counter.
Lennart Karl had the first opportunity for the hosts with a curling effort that flew narrowly wide after eight minutes, before Leon Goretzka headed just wide from Karl's cross in the 18th minute.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Tom Bischof played a perfect pass into the path of Gnabry, who outpaced Jarell Quansah before slotting through Mark Flekken's legs to make it 1-0.
The hosts doubled their advantage just six minutes later with another well-crafted goal. Konrad Laimer delivered an inch-perfect cross from the right flank, finding Jackson unmarked in the centre of the penalty area. The Senegalese striker rose highest to head home his first Bundesliga goal.
Bayern continued to press and were rewarded with a third goal just before half-time when Raphaël Guerreiro's low cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Badé, effectively ending the contest before the interval.
Bayern should have extended their lead in the 50th minute when Laimer again found Jackson with a cross, but this time the forward headed wide from close range.
Kompany then introduced his star attacking trio of Kane, Díaz and Olise just before the hour mark, further demonstrating the remarkable depth at his disposal.
Guerreiro went close with a curling effort, while Christian Kofane tested Manuel Neuer at the other end as Leverkusen sought a consolation.
Ultimately, though, Bayern were able to see out the game without major incident as they made it nine from nine in the league and ended Leverkusen's remarkable away run.
Player of the Match: Tom Bischof
The 19-year-old produced a standout performance in Bayern's dominant victory. Bischof's vision and execution were exemplified by his perfectly weighted assist for Gnabry's opening goal, which set Bayern on their way to victory.
Throughout the match, he displayed composure beyond his years, completing his passes with precision and creating several dangerous opportunities. Bischof was also effective defensively, winning 14 challenges – the most by any Bayern player. His all-round display earned him the highest Fantasy points (312) and demonstrated why Kompany trusted him to start in such a high-profile fixture.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bayern 2.39 - Leverkusen 0.33
Fastest player: Ernest Poku (Leverkusen), 34.35 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Serge Gnabry (Bayern), 36 percent
Most pressed player: Ernest Poku (Leverkusen), 18 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Jonathan Tah (Bayern), +2.89
Fantasy Heroes: Tom Bischof (Bayern, 312 Points), Raphaël Guerreiro (Bayern, 243 Points), Konrad Laimer (Bayern, 213 Points)
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