Aluminum and Bayer effectively thwart attempts to breach Bavaria's entry point.
In the premier match of the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich encountered some misfortune: Despite Serge Gnabry managing to hit the target twice in quick succession, Bayer Leverkusen managed to secure a point from Munich. The historical champions also need to contemplate about Harry Kane's performance.
There wasn't a clear winner in the main event: Bayer Leverkusen, the two-time champions, successfully halted Bayern Munich's goal-scoring streak and snatched the initial points of the season from Munich, having won their first four matches consecutively. With a below-par yet strategically astute and well-executed defensive performance, the team led by coach Xabi Alonso thwarted the record champions, ending the game in a 1-1 draw (1-1).
Leverkusen opened the scoring through Robert Andrich (31), taking many by surprise, and the flustered hosts retaliated with a sensational goal from Aleksandar Pavlovic (39). The Munich side discovered in their initial challenge of the season that the champions and cup holders possessed a different caliber than their prior adversaries - though Leverkusen appeared quite passive, waiting for opportunities.
Bayern maintains possession, Leverkusen scores
The sidelines were buzzing with activity as well. Coaches Vincent Kompany and Alonso were occupied with structuring their teams and readjusting to their opponents' strategies. For Bayern, this meant preventing swift counterattacks, for Leverkusen, retreating into a 5-4-1 formation during Munich's attacks. Even wunderkind Florian Wirtz was mainly assigned defensive duties in Alonso's tactical blueprint.
Bayern controlled the game with their forceful high pressing and robust back defense, but penetrating the goal was challenging. Leverkusen tightly constricted the space and intricately wove a dense net in front of their penalty area, leaving Bayern's attackers often stranded - if they even got close. Frequently, they passed the ball back and forth at a distance from the penalty area, lacking the inspiration necessary to break through.
Bayern's best opportunity initially emerged from a set piece: Michael Olise launched a free kick at the goal net (22). Just as the game appeared to be heading for a stalemate, Leverkusen unexpectantly took the lead. Following a corner instigated by Pavlovic, Andrich, almost on the penalty line, delivered a perfect shot, evading every leg and finding the far corner - marking Leverkusen's seventh goal from a set piece.
Gnabry's double misfortune
Saturday evening witnessed a breathtaking goal that gave Bayern a new lease of life: Pavlovic, courtesy of Victor Boniface's inactivity, received an unchallenged ball twenty-three meters out, and fired it into the top corner with full force. The national team player capitalized on Boniface's inactivity, who could have decisively intervened during this situation.
Post-interval, Serge Gnabry came close to reversing the game's fortunes: Harry Kane, who remained largely absent like Boniface, provided him with a pass, and Gnabry struck the post and then the crossbar with a shot in mid-air (48). Olise found himself in a favorable position once more, but his shot from a sharp angle was saved by Lukas Hradecky with ease - thanks to his industrious defenders.
In the end, despite FC Bayern Munich's dominance in possession, Bayer Leverkusen managed to secure a point from Munich, as their defensive strategy proved effective against Bayern's high pressing and robust back defense. Moreover, FC Bayern Munich's Harry Kane struggled to make an impact in the match, and Serge Gnabry's double misfortune saw him strike the post and then the crossbar in quick succession, failing to secure a win for his team.
