RB Leipzig deal blow to Bayern Munich's title bid with sensational comeback win
Konrad Laimer, Christopher Nkunku and Dominik Szoboszlai struck to secure a 3-1 win for RB Leipzig in Munich that left the door open for Borussia Dortmund to overtake Bayern in the title race on the penultimate matchday of the season.
Bayern Munich 1-3 Leipzig
Goals: 1-0 Gnabry 25'(assist: Müller), 1-1 Laimer 65', 1-2 Nkunku (pen. 76'), 1-3 Szoboszlai (pen. 86')
Bayern wasted no time in seeking the first of two wins needed to secure the title. The champions were initially at their fluent best against a Leizpig side who wanted to secure a top-four spot with a win. Thomas Müller had the best of a flurry of early shots but was denied by Janis Blaswich at close range. With the visitors unable to land anything of note for now, Bayern soon made the breakthrough, which was served up by Serge Gnabry smashing in at the near post after a Müller pass. Jamal Musiala missed a chance to double the lead on the half-volley, before Szoboszlai sent Yann Sommer diving to preserve Bayern's lead with Leipzig's first proper chance. Nkunku and Dani Olmo were both denied by Sommer soon afterwards as the visitors suddenly sprang to life. Kingsley Coman then headed wide, and Szoboszlai hit a good opening over at the end of a lively first period.
Neither side was able to eke out dominance in a keenly contested start to the second period. Efforts from Olmo and Joshua Kimmich from distance were the closest anyone came to a second goal of the game - until Leipzig suddenly surged forward on the break from a Bayern corner. Nkunku cut the ball back to Laimer, who rifled in from the edge of the box to draw Leipzig level. Szoboszlai then had a curling free-kick saved before Nkunku was tripped by Benjamin Pavard in the box and the visitors were awarded a spot kick. The French striker stepped up to dispatch it himself with a powerful drive. Mathys Tel had a shot saved and Musiala fired wide on the rebound as Bayern pushed for a way back in. The hosts let Nkunku drift towards goal in acres of space though, only for Sommer to stop them conceding a third. A second penalty was then awarded as Noussair Mazraoui handled the ball from the resulting corner and Szoboszlai stepped up to put the game to bed. Dortmund took full advantage of the latest twist in a staggering title race by beating Augsburg to go two points clear at the summit with one game to.
Match stats
- Gnabry has scored in four Bundesliga matches in succession for the first time as a Bayern player - having achieved that for Hoffenheim in 2018.
- Müller has provided eight assists this season - five of which have come in the second half of the campaign (more than any other Bayern player).
- Bayern have had nine penalties awarded against them this season - more than in any other previous campaign.
- Szoboszlai scored his first penalty in the Bundesliga having missed his one previous spot kick against Leverkusen.
- Laimer has scored all of his past five Bundesliga goals away from home.
- Leipzig have beaten Bayern for the first time since a 2-1 win at home in 2017/18.
Get Nkunku for your Fantasy team!
Watch: Szoboszlai: "The win was for Karim Adeyemi"
Teams
Bayern: Sommer – Mazraoui (Mane 86'), Pavard, de Ligt, Cancelo (Upamecano 86') – Kimmich, Goretzka (Gravenberch 69') – Coman (Tel 77'), Müller (c), Musiala – Gnabry (Sane 69')
Unused subs: Ulreich, Sarr, Blind, Gravenberch, Stanisic
Out: Choupo-Moting (knee), Davies (thigh), Hernandez (knee), Neuer (broken leg)
Coach: Thomas Tuchel
Leipzig: Blaswich - Simakan (Henrichs 46'), Orban (c), Gvardiol (Klostermann 87'), Halstenberg - Szoboszlai, Laimer, Haidara (Kampl 69') - Olmo (Diallo 87'), Nkunku, Silva (Forsberg 69')
Unused subs: Nyland, Raum, Schlager, Poulsen
Out: Gulacsi (knee), Werner (ill)
Coach: Marco Rose
Have a go at predicting the weekend's results!
Watch: Müller: "Now the pressure is on Dortmund"
Related news
Xabi Alonso makes history with latest Bayern scalp
The Leverkusen strategist is the first coach to go unbeaten in his first five games against the record champions...
Fantasy gems for Matchday 13
Make the most of your five weekly transfers to maximise your points this weekend...
Bayern and Dortmund's possible Club World Cup opponents
The Bundesliga duo will find who they'll face in the group stage of next summer's new tournament at a draw ceremony in Miami on Thursday...