Bayern Munich secured a long-awaited victory over Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen after six failed attempts. It wasn’t down to luck, magical moments, or sheer brilliance—Bayern’s success came from a united team effort, with Leverkusen’s mistakes only further damaging their cause. This was Bayern’s chance to reclaim their rightful place at the top.
Joshua Kimmich’s performance was a standout. After an injury forced him to miss the Frankfurt match, Kimmich came back strong, displaying excellent leadership and dominance in midfield alongside Leon Goretzka. His contributions in keeping possession and controlling the game were crucial. Maybe a short rest was all Kimmich needed—could he perform even better with occasional breaks?
Harry Kane, who had faced criticism this season for his quiet presence in the attack, stepped up in a major way. The English striker worked tirelessly, fighting for every ball across the field. His two goals were the direct result of his relentless effort. Bayern might want to consider sending in more crosses as they were the key to breaking down Leverkusen’s solid defense.
Bayern’s defense was also impressive, particularly Dayot Upamecano’s man-marking against Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz. Bayern did well to limit Wirtz’s creativity, applying pressure and closing down space, stifling any attacking threat from the talented playmaker.
While Bayern suffered heavy defeats against Barcelona and Feyenoord earlier in the Champions League, this victory could mark a turning point. With a three-goal lead, fans are now hopeful of reaching the next stage and eyeing potential trips to Milan next month.
Bonus note: Jonas Urbig, making his Bayern and Champions League debut, was calm and composed. Despite not facing much danger, the young German showed confidence in playing from the back. This bodes well for Bayern should Manuel Neuer’s absence extend, with Urbig stepping up as a potential future goalkeeper.
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