Bayern Munich 1-3 RB Leipzig: Initial reactions and observations

So that’s the title done and dusted. We still need to wait for BVB to play but ... come on. Does anyone think Bayern Munich deserve to win it after what we’ve just seen? What the hell did Thomas Tuchel say at HT? Bayern actually looked dominant until the break. Buying Anthony Barry from Chelsea is looking like a waste of money. The set pieces look worse than ever. It’s fitting that the first game in these terrible new kits was a 3-1 loss to Leipzig. So many questions for Thomas Tuchel after this. No more scope to protect the coach. He has to answer for his decisions.

Full time: Bayern Munich 1-3 RB Leipzig.

85’ — Goal. It’s so over. Szoboszlai makes it 3-1.

75’ — Goal. Nkunku scores the penalty.

74’ — Nkunku brought down in the box, penalty to RBL. Pavard at fault.

64’ — Goal. Konrad Laimer makes it 1-1.

45’ — The second half kicks off.

Halftime observations and analysis Is the Serge Gnabry renaissance complete? At this point you have to wonder if Bayern Munich will rethink their plans to sign a striker. It’s not pretty but Gnabs is getting the job done. That goal doesn’t happen without Thomas Muller’s quick passing. It’s the split second moments that count. RB Leipzig could’ve had goals though. They’re not as passive as Schalke. Both teams just seem to have a finishing block at the moment. Noussair Mazraoui is enabling Kingsley Coman to be a menace on the wing. Lots of shouts for Joao Cancelo today. He’s been great.

24’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Gnabry makes it 1-0!

Kickoff: We’re underway in Munich!

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Looks like Thomas Tuchel finally listened to the fans and opted to start Bayern Munich in a 4-2-3-1 with Thomas Muller in the middle and Jamal Musiala on the wing. Leroy Sane has been benched while Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry round out the attack. Meanwhile, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka are in midfield while the rest of the team is unchanged from last week.

With only six points left to play for, Bayern Munich are locked in the tightest title race we’ve seen in over a decade. In the club’s last home game of the season, they will take on RB Leipzig — the game where Dortmund supporters will be desperately hoping that Bayern drop points.

It’s up to Thomas Tuchel and his players to make sure they’re disappointed.

The coach has a relatively healthy squad for this one, but Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is still out with injury. That means the attack will have its work cut out scoring goals without a real striker. We saw last week that a 4-1-4-1 can work wonders for the team, with Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller getting goals while Musiala and Sane each got assists (among the attackers that started). Will Tuchel opt for that same lineup, or go with someone more conservative to counter Leipzig’s transitions?

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Time: 6:30 pm local time, 12:30 pm EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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