Featured Game – RB Leipzig 0-1 Bayern München

The hotly anticipated Bundesliga Topspiel for Matchday 27 had huge implications in the title race. Ultimately, the Bayern victory sees them move into a seemingly comfortable lead now at the top of the table, however a win for Leipzig would have made for a very entertaining end to the season, as the gap between the sides would have been reduced to a solitary point with just seven games to play. The weighty stakes of the contest were all too apparent from the sides’ performances however, and the game was a slow and tense affair.

With Leipzig and Bayern being arguably the two best attacking teams in the league and with both harbouring defences that are prone to shipping the odd goal, it would be easy to be mistaken that this should have been a fast and fluid match with chances galore, perhaps mirroring one in Leipzig’s maiden Bundesliga campaign back in 2017 which turned out to be an absolute classic. That game had a similar amount riding on it with both teams vying for the league, but the goals flowed easily and Bayern won the game after a couple of strikes, including a worldy winner from Arjen Robben, turned it around in injury time to snatch an incredible 5-4 away victory. Maybe strangely though, contests between the two since have followed a similar trend to the one seen on Saturday. As the teams have become more familiar with one another, they may have sussed each other out in an attacking sense, something often seen in big rivalries and this leads to the need for big-game players to step up and produce an unstoppable moment of brilliance to break an otherwise resolute back line. Although Leipzig may not yet have the funds or attraction to lure these top performers, still being a young club as they are, Bayern have possessed many a superstar in their illustrious history and also have one in the present in the shape of their striker Robert Lewandowski. However, RB would have been relieved to see that the injury that the Pole sustained on international duty was not just going to keep him out of this game, but may hinder Bayern’s title prospects as well, as the recovery period could exceed a month. Therefore, the record champions needed another player to step up to the plate.

Any goal for München was always going to come in the first half. They had more of the ball and looked marginally the more threatening of the sides, however chances were limited. Leipzig sat back and tried to soak up the pressure – a different Leipzig tactic perhaps to that seen in other big games, notably in the Champions League round of 16 against Liverpool, where the east German side adopted a fatally high line that was repeatedly exploited by their opponents’ pacey forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The change did appear to have the desired effect, with the visitors restricted to half-opportunities. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s shot on the swivel was probably the closest anyone went in the first half hour, but even that went a safe few yards wide of the target. One defensive display for the home side would have been peculiarly pleasing for Bayern, with Dayot Upamecano standing resolute alongside his current teammates, but knowing that it is the players that he will be joining up with in the summer that he was preventing from scoring on this occasion. The young Frenchman may be signing for Bayern at the end of the season but will still be annoyed that Leipzig were eventually broken through seven minutes before half time, and it was really the only clear-cut chance of the entire fixture that was so ruthlessly and clinically taken by Leon Goretzka. He has made a habit of finding goals from midfield and his late runs into the box reflect those of Frank Lampard. However, good service is still required, and the league leaders have the best in the business for assists in their long service all-round forward Thomas Müller. The German, who was top scorer as his nation became world champions in the 2014 World Cup, has thrived in a role behind Lewandowski this season, which has seen Müller reach double figures for both goals and assists. His clever chest down for Goretzka saw him add another to the latter tally, as the onrushing midfielder swept home a powerful effort past Peter Gulacsi into the top corner of the net.

Trailing at the break, Leipzig knew that a second half response was needed in a game that they really needed to win if they were to put pressure on their opponents at the Bundesliga summit. The restart did produce a slight up in tempo, and notable switch of team controlling possession, however it was clear that the hosts were not prepared to go all out quite yet, what with a more than considerable threat of Bayern’s on the counterattack. More of the ball did bring a few chances though for Leipzig in the first fifteen minutes of the second period. Some were rather presentable as well, as Nkunku and Olmo both spurned good opportunities, not even testing Manuel Neuer in the process as any attempts were put wide. Olmo’s chance was arguably the best, coming from inside the box with little pressure on him, however the shot that went closest came on the hour mark and from a way out. Marcel Sabitzer certainly has a good strike on him and can find the net from both dead-ball situations or from open play, and he holds the title of probable goal of the season so far after an unbelievable hit a couple of months back away in the capital against Hertha Berlin. However, with Neuer between the sticks, any effort is going to have to match the quality of that one and the Austrian was not quite capable of repeating the feat as he tried his luck from 25 yards out. The dipping shot was just tipped over by the German stopper to keep his side in the lead. Few chances followed for the home team and the final whistle blew to signal a valiant attempt from challengers Leipzig this season, but with the gap now extended to seven points between the sides, Bayern look odds on to capture a ninth straight Meisterschale.

The Games Keep Coming

Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt

Similar stakes to the one in the Leipzig-Bayern contest were shared in this game between Dortmund and Frankfurt, with the race for the top four the main focus on this occasion. The positions of the two teams were clear before the game: Dortmund were really needing a win to close the gap to Eintracht who sat in fourth spot in the table, but a loss for the home side would have really been detrimental and would have allowed their visitors to pull seven points clear – an unlikely tally to be overhauled with just the same number of games remaining. For Frankfurt, they would probably have been reasonably happy to come away from the Signal Iduna Park with a point to keep themselves in their already comfortable place above their opponents in the Bundesliga standings. Therefore, their game plan was very much one with a counterattacking focus, allowing the home team to have the majority of possession while attempting to utilise the pace of the likes of Filip Kostic to create chances on the break. The match quickly fell into this rhythm, but with Dortmund’s control of the ball rarely translating into chances. Furthermore, with Kostic’s quality from wide positions and a couple of deadly strikers in André Silva and Luka Jovic lurking, ready to pounce on any crosses into the middle, this threat from the away side led to the opener eleven minutes in. Although, the final touch did not have to be applied by one of the Frankfurt forwards, as opposing left-back Nico Schulz had the misfortune of diverting a Kostic cross over his own goalkeeper and into the net when trying to deal with Silva at the far post. Schulz, who has come back into favour recently under Edin Terzic, has struggled since a move to Dortmund from Hoffenheim back in 2018, but he cannot hold sole responsibility for the concession of the go-ahead goal, as Frankfurt’s chief creator in Kostic was afforded too much space on the left.

However, it was a Dortmund defender who made up for the lapse at the back half an hour in, benefitting from a knock-down following a corner. Mats Hummels is a constant threat from set-pieces, much owing to his sizeable six-foot three-inch frame, but it was a not a header that dragged his side back level in this one. Predatory instincts of a striker helped Hummels latch onto the loose ball and turn home from a mere few yards for a massive Borussia goal, and made up somewhat for what has been a surprisingly disappointing season to date for the former Germany international. He would have hoped that his team could use the goal as a platform to go on and get more to take all three points, while attempting to do his usual job of keeping them out at the other end however, unfortunately for the hosts, neither of these were accomplished and Eintracht snatched a late winner in an all too predictable fashion. The home defence obviously did not learn their lesson from the first half about affording Kostic time and space on the flank and three minutes from time he punished them with another precise cross, this time finding its intended target. André Silva rose to head home his 22nd goal of a fantastic campaign – a major reason for the Eagles current residence in a Champions League place. The defeat leaves Dortmund looking over their shoulders more so than up at this point, as the gap to the challengers for the Europa League spots stands at just four points, with a whole host of potential teams that could mount an end of season push. Borussia will need to find some form, if only to secure their participation in Europe’s secondary competition next season.

Union Berlin 1-1 Hertha Berlin

One of the teams vying for the fifth and sixth places is Union Berlin, and a point in the Berlin Derby is only going to help the cause. The side only taking part in their second ever Bundesliga campaign could make history if they were to achieve a strong enough finish to this season and attain a first foray into European football. Their mix of classic German football fighting spirit and clever tactics have overcome their considerable lack of technical quality and Bundesliga experience when compared with other teams around them. However, it is arguable that the acquisition of proven forward Max Kruse has been the major factor in the change from comfortable mid-table finish to challengers for Europe. Their city rivals are the prime example of the difficulty of initiating this switch, as much investment appears misplaced as Hertha have gone in the opposite direction. Therefore, the signing of Kruse seems all the more calculated. Nevertheless, it was not the former Gladbach and Bremen man that brought about the opener for the hosts, as midfielder Robert Andrich, who is one of many regular starters to have been promoted with the capital club, stepped up to the plate when the chance presented itself on the edge of the penalty box. Andrich certainly possesses a good strike of a football and showed with his ninth minute hit that he can do it with his weaker left side too, as a rasping low drive found the far bottom corner. The first period was an entertaining affair, perhaps surprising considering the importance of the tie for both teams and the fact that it was a derby, however chances came, and the woodwork was struck on more than one occasion. Mistakes were also being made and a miss by Petar Musa was followed up by a foul in the box by Grischa Prömel on Mattéo Guendouzi. The decision was a contentious one, with questions asked about who initiated the contact, but VAR did not feel there was enough cause to overturn the on-field call made by the referee. Dodi Lukebakio assumed the responsibility from the spot and stoked the ball in the opposite direction to the keeper’s dive for the equalizer before half time. After an end-to-end first 45 minutes, and with the game set up perfectly for a good second half, the restart brought an unfortunately and unexpectedly drab affair after the pause to proceedings. Perhaps the importance for points in the race for Europe and for survival respectively had been reiterated to both sets of players during the break, but neither team approached the second half with anything more than an aim to simply not lose. The Berlin Derby fizzled out and the teams shared the spoils in a blossoming rivalry that will hopefully be revisited in the Bundesliga next season.

Rest of the Round-Up

Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Schalke

After a terrible run of results, a timely meeting with perhaps the only side struggling more than them would have given the Leverkusen camp confidence to get the much-needed win to put their European ambitions back on track. A couple of goals were enough on a day that could have produced many more, despite a late consolation from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, returning from injury, who became the away side’s oldest ever Bundesliga scorer with his strike.

Mainz 1-1 Arminia Bielefeld

A proper basement battle with huge implications for both sides can often lead to the tense affair that these two produced. Daniel Brosinski put the hosts ahead from the spot, maintaining Mainz’s sensational succession of penalty conversions that stands at over 30 in a row, before Voglsammer equalized for Bielefeld. The point will probably favour Mainz more as they now have gone four games unbeaten, but the draw keeps Arminia in the automatic drop-zone.

Wolfsburg 1-0 Köln

Another team very much stuck in the relegation mire is FC Köln. Winless in six before encountering Wolfsburg, the visitors may have expected that their successful handling of usual Wolves threats Weghorst and Baku would have led to something to take back west. However, it was young Croatian Josip Brekalo that struck the killer blow in the second half to sink the Billy Goats.

Augsburg 2-1 Hoffenheim

The contest between Leipzig and Bayern was much more anticipated to provide the high quality of finishing that was demonstrated in this mid-table meeting. Ruben Vargas coolly put the Bavarian hosts ahead, before a long ball played in Andre Hahn for a cracking second on the half-volley. Nevertheless, Robert Skov’s goal back five minutes from time for Hoffenheim was undoubtedly the pick of the bunch, although he was unable to spark a late revival as Augsburg leapfrog their visitors in the table.

Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 Freiburg

With both of these two still in with a shot of reaching the Europa League places, their clash was going to really give one of them an edge as the season reaches its conclusion. It looked initially as if the in-form Roland Sallai had put Freiburg on course for the victory, but a seven-minute second half brace from Marcus Thuram turned things around for Gladbach. The young forward, son of France’s most-capped player Lilian Thuram, has not been able to match his fantastic previous campaign, however he stepped up for this one to claim an important three points for his team.

Stuttgart 1-0 Werder Bremen

A tight game that always looked like it was going to take either a mistake or a moment of brilliance to break the deadlock. With the latter seeming unlikely, it turned out to be a late own goal from Ludwig Augustinsson that condemned Werder to the defeat on the road. An unfortunate misjudged header was sent past his own keeper, however the simple presence of gargantuan Stuttgart front man Sasa Kalajdzic in the box would rack the nerves of any opposing defender.

A Few Words On… Thomas Müller

He is Bayern München’s tenacious and tactical elder statesman. Having won an incredible 27 trophies in his career, he is Germany’s most decorated footballer and all except the 2014 World Cup triumph have come in the shirt of the Rekordmeister. Müller has been with the Bavarian club since the age of ten and his consistency of performances and work-rate over the years have ensured that he will forever be regarded as a Bayern legend. Remarkably however, he is still only 31 years of age and with bags of desire left to accomplish what little there is left for him to accomplish as a footballer and clear evidence of this is the season that he is currently enjoying. Whereas before he ‘did a job’ for the team, chipping in with assists now and then, and always with the potential to grab a big goal despite not racking up quite the numbers of his fellow attacking players like Robert Lewandowski, it is arguable that the best version of Thomas Müller has been on display this campaign. He is the only Bundesliga player to have managed double figures in both goals and assists and sits in joint-second with André Silva and Erling Haaland in the standings for both goals and assists combined. His improved clinical nature in front of goal this season is demonstrated by the fact that he has almost exactly the same goal conversion rate as Lewandowski, with the pair just under 40%. Although the increased stats and numbers, an all-important aspect of modern football, has shown a different and more prolific side to the German, Müller’s contribution at the weekend reiterated that this is just an added bonus to an already priceless performer for München. His clever chest-down assist for Leon Goretzka to smash home helped Bayern go seven point clear of Leipzig in the Bundesliga table, and this could prove to be the pivotal point as the champions look to capture their ninth straight Meisterschale.

What to Look Forward to Next Matchday

Arminia Bielefeld vs. Freiburg

Werder Bremen vs. RB Leipzig

Hertha Berlin vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach

Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Wolfsburg

Bayern München vs. Union Berlin

Stuttgart vs. Borussia Dortmund

Schalke vs. Augsburg

Köln vs. Mainz

Hoffenheim vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Although the game between the two highest placed teams is Eintracht vs. Wolfsburg, and despite points still being necessary for these two in order to secure their Champions League spots, the designated Saturday Topspiel is the clash between Stuttgart and Dortmund and quite rightly too. The visitors will seek redemption after being trashed 5-1 by their opponents at the Signal Iduna Park back in December. That turned out to be Lucien Favre’s last game at the Borussia helm, but with the stakes even higher for this one with Stuttgart breathing over their shoulder in the battle to get into next season’s Europa League, Dortmund will know that another defeat could be catastrophic.