Bayern Munich produce stunning second-half comeback to thrash RB Leipzig
Unbeaten Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich staged a stunning second-half comeback to defeat RB Leipzig 5-1 at the Red Bull Arena.
RB Leipzig 1-5 Bayern Munich
Goals: 1-0 Rômulo 20' (assist: Raum), 1-1 Gnabry 50' (assist: Upamecano), 1-2 Kane 67' (assist: Olise), 1-3 Tah 83' (assist: Olise), 1-4 Pavlović 85' (assist: Olise), 1-5 Olise 88' (assist: Musiala)
Bayern arrived at the Red Bull Arena facing an emotional occasion as Leipzig bid farewell to Kevin Kampl after more than eight years at the club. The hosts had been in formidable home form, winning seven of their eight Bundesliga games on their own turf this season. Meanwhile, the unbeaten league leaders were looking to extend their record-breaking campaign, with Manuel Neuer making his 584th appearance for the club to equal Franz Beckenbauer's tally. The match also marked the return of Jamal Musiala to the Bayern squad after a lengthy injury absence.
Leipzig dominant in first half
The home side started brightly with Christoph Baumgartner and Rômulo both testing Manuel Neuer in the opening minutes. Antonio Nusa then missed a golden opportunity when he stretched to reach Yan Diomande's cross but could only direct his effort wide. Leipzig's pressure finally told in the 20th minute when David Raum combined with Nusa before delivering a sharp cross that Rômulo met at the near post to poke past Neuer.
The hosts continued to threaten with Nusa going close again after collecting a brilliant pass from Nicolas Seiwald, but his shot sailed over the bar. Bayern struggled to create clear chances in response, with their best opportunity falling to Luis Díaz whose effort was comfortably saved by Péter Gulácsi.
Bayern transform after interval
Bayern introduced Joshua Kimmich for the injured Leon Goretzka at half-time and levelled five minutes after the restart. Dayot Upamecano stepped up to intercept a pass intended for Baumgartner and immediately fed Serge Gnabry, who finished clinically into the bottom corner for his 100th Bayern goal.
The momentum shifted dramatically as Vincent Kompany's men began to dominate possession. The introduction of Michael Olise for Lennart Karl in the 57th minute proved decisive, with the substitute immediately making his presence felt with an improvised shot that forced a save from Gulácsi. Bayern's then forged ahead in the 67th minute when Olise beat his man on the left and delivered a perfect cross to the back post where Harry Kane controlled and slammed home his 21st Bundesliga goal of the season.
Rampant finale
Leipzig threatened an equaliser when Diomande unleashed a ferocious shot from inside the area, but Neuer produced a world-class save to preserve Bayern's lead. That moment proved crucial as the visitors then ruthlessly put the game beyond doubt with three goals in a devastating five-minute spell. Jonathan Tah headed in Olise's corner in the 83rd minute, before Aleksandar Pavlović tapped home from close range after another Olise assist. The substitute then turned scorer in the 88th minute, finishing confidently from Jamal Musiala's pass just moments after the young star had made his long-awaited return from injury. What had been a promising evening for Leipzig had turned into a brutal demonstration of Bayern's clinical finishing.
Man of the Match: Harry Kane
Kane's crucial goal to put Bayern in front was the catalyst for their devastating second-half performance. The England captain showed his clinical edge when he controlled Olise's cross and fired home emphatically to give his side the lead.
Kane was a constant threat throughout, linking play effectively and drawing defenders to create space for teammates. His presence and finishing ability epitomised the ruthless efficiency that saw Bayern convert five of their 10 shots on target.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Leipzig 3.02 - Bayern 3.29
Fastest player: Yan Diomande (RBL), 35.07 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 5-1 by Michael Olise (FCB), 15 percent
Most pressed player: Yan Diomande (RBL), 25 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Ridle Baku (RBL), 4.2
Fantasy Heroes: Michael Olise (FC Bayern München, 466 Points), Jonathan Tah (FC Bayern München, 322 Points), Rômulo (RB Leipzig, 299 Points)
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