Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen went toe-to-toe at Allianz Arena in a match filled with dominance, pressure, and resistance. Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich moved the ball around from the get-go. The two men up front who troubled Leverkusen for most of the night were Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane. Tactically headed by Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen proved they would not go down without a fight.
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The early impact and the surprising goal
The match started exactly as many had anticipated: Bayern attacked right away, setting the tone with intensity, much of the possession in Leverkusen's half of the field. Goals by Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane did not waste any time testing Leverkusen's defense, while Serge Gnabry nearly opened the scoring at the 8-minute mark, only to see the crossbar get in his way.
Yet, against the run of play, it was Leverkusen that struck first. In the 31st minute, Andrich finally found that moment of space outside the box and let go of a powerful shot past Manuel Neuer. An Allianz Arena that had been buzzing fell silent. Against the run of play, the goal proved how effectively Leverkusen capitalizes on the little chances they get.
Pavlović makes amends
But Bayern didn't take long to respond. If Andrich had left Neuer feline wonders with a unstoppable strike, Aleksandar Pavlović responded with the masterpiece. In the 39th minute, the young midfielder made up for his previous mistake that had presented Leverkusen with a corner. Exhibiting pure technique, he let loose a volley into the top corner, giving Lukáš Hrádecký no chance. This was the goal Bayern needed to get the crowd going again-to regain their psychological edge.
From this point on, Bayern began to turn the screw, assuming greater control of the game. Pavlović's goal gave them more confidence and also gave the home fans hope for a second-half comeback.
Unrelenting pressure and missed chances
The second half showed Bayern even more aggressive. Gnabry had a close one again, which could have given Bayern the lead again, but there was the crossbar in between. In fact, this go-ahead goal seemed so imminent. On the other side, Leverkusen held up, with Jonathan Tah leading a defiant defense against Bayern's relentless attacks.
Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman came on to dismantle Alonso's shape, but Leverkusen's backline showed no signs of yielding. Dominating the match, Bayern simply could not get that finishing touch. Bayern created so many openings, but it just wouldn't fall into the net.
On the other side, Florian Wirtz, Leverkusen's superstar, showed his skills on the counter-attack and relieved his team, but never really made any dangerous situation for Neuer.
Aleksandar Pavlović, frustrated at the end of the match, admitted: "We had so many chances, but we just weren't rewarded in the end." Manuel Neuer, back in goal after injury, also felt similarly to Pavlović: "We deserved more. The goal conceded was frustrating."
What was clear after 90 minutes
Frustrating for Bayern, no doubt, but one could tell the team was moving in the right direction. Dominant was an understatement; were it not for a lack of precision in front of goal, it would have been different. The team came from behind and pressed right up until the final whistle.
On the other hand, Leverkusen left Munich with the feeling of satisfaction, as holding Bayern is not a piece of cake, especially at Allianz Arena. Xabi Alonso's team made it with great organization and tactical discipline. But on the other hand, their offensive firepower made crystal clear that if Leverkusen aspires to great ambitions, they will have to need something more than a solid defense.