Leverkusen: Robert Lewandowski’s added-time goal inspired a 2-1 win for Bayern Munich over Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on Saturday (December 19). Patrick Schick scored one for the home side while the newly crowned FIFA Men’s Best Player Lewandowski netted a brace for the defending champions.
Hansi Flick’s men lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Lucas Hernandez being paired with Jerome Boateng at the heart of the defence. Corentin Tolliso along with David Alaba who commonly plays as a full-back formed a double pivot in the midfield. Robert Lewandowski shared the forward line alongside Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman with Thomas Muller playing as a no.10 behind them.
The home side had more of the possession on the ball dictating the game keeping Bayern quite passive looking to create chances. Eventually, they took a lead when Leon Baily took a short corner from Nadiem Amiri who dinked one into the box before Schick attempted an outrageous volley with outstanding technique and precision to beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Leverkusen kept creating a bit of chance but were unable to score. However, the defending champions took control of the game getting their equaliser just before the halftime whistle courtesy Lewandowski who was left unmarked in the box headed it from a whipping cross from Muller.
In the second half, Bayern put their foot on the accelerator pressing high up in the field for creating opportunities. Gnabry along with Joshua Kimmich were trying their heart out wasn’t kind of able to giving the final touch.
It almost seemed like that the hosts would hold the Bavarians but the ever-reliable Lewandowski came out as the saviour for his side. Just seconds before the final whistle, Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah made a mistake giving away the ball to Kimmich who passed it for Lewandowski and the Bayern striker’s drilling shot got deflected off Edmond Tapsoba before finding the back of the net for the winner.
Bayern took full three points to stand at first place in the points table while Lewandowski now is topping the scoring charts with seventeen goals.
