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Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig left everything on the pitch and gave the fans an entertaining game to watch in the 2020-21 Bundesliga, splitting points in an enthralling six-goal thriller.
Heading into the clash, Bayern Munich were perhaps the marginal favourites, but it was Leipzig who took the lead through Christopher Nkunku.
Leipzig had the better of the opening exchanges, but it didn’t take long for Bayern Munich to bounce back. The Bavarians equalised and then took the lead in the span of just four minutes to grab their ascendancy in the game.
However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side did not change their high-intensity game plan and got back into the game through Justin Kluivert in the 36th minute as both teams headed into half-time with the scoreline reading 2-2.
Leipzig started the second half in much of the same vein that they did the first. The visitors reclaimed the lead through a magnificent team goal ending with Angelino finding Emile Forsberg in the penalty box for the Swede to nod home.
However, Bayern Munich being the machine they are, rallied and equalised in the 75th minute. The Bavarians dominated the game in the last 15 minutes but couldn’t manage to find a late winner, though.
On that note, here are the five main talking points from the game:
#1 Leipzig’s high-intensity play troubles Bayern Munich
Leipzig were at it from the first minute, pressing and harrying Bayern Munich when in possession. Nagelsmann’s side basically went for it, and it’s not as if they know of any other style to implement on the pitch.
Lining up in a 4-3-3 system, with the duo of Kluivert and Nkunku as the inside forwards and Forsberg playing in a false nine role, Leipzig pressed Bayern Munich from the front.
The Bavarians, who usually play a high line, did so once again but almost paid dearly for it against the visitors. Without the presence of the injured Joshua Kimmich, Bayern Munich struggled to play out from the back or stop Leipzig.
The visitors had three different scorers against Bayern Munich and have had a league-high 11 different scorers this season.
Javi Martinez’s presence somewhat helped, as the Spaniard is accomplished on the ball, but he went off injured early in the first half.
However, Julian Nagelsmann will not be happy about the fact that Leipzig didn’t test Manuel Neuer enough when they were in the ascendency.
#2 Bayern Munich’s defensive woes show no signs of abating
Bayern Munich sorely missed the injured Joshua Kimmich in the game. Alphonso Davies too was not unavailable, which meant that Hansi Flick had to rejig his personnel in the middle and defensive third.
Some of Bayern Munich's defending against Leipzig was abysmal. While the opening goal was a tactical error stemming from a high line and Forsberg’s brilliance to find Nkunku, Hansi Flick will be disappointed with his side's defending during Leipzig's second and third goals.
The third goal in particular would have annoyed the Bayern Munich head coach. Forsberg showed uncharacteristic predatory instincts and heading ability, but the marking and positional awareness of Bayern Munich were simply non-existent.
Eventually, Thomas Muller scored his second of the game to save Bayern Munich's blushes and keep his side atop the 2020-21 Bundesliga table.
#3 Emile Forsberg is a player re-born
Leipzig were expected to struggle in the absence of Timo Werner, who scored a bevvy of goals for the club, but Leipzig haven't, especially against Bayern Munich.
Nagelsmann has since used Yussuf Poulsen in Werner's role, but Emile Forsberg has added another dimension to the Leipzig attack and put in a top display against Bayern Munich.
Forsberg’s passing is his biggest strength. He used that to good effect by dropping deep to try and pick out the duo of Kluivert and Nkunku. Angelino and Nordi Mukiele also made some good overlapping runs against Bayern Munich.
The three-man Leipzig midfield essentially turned into four in the deeper positions, and the three-pronged press worked well in the Bayern Munich half.
Forsberg, who ended the game with two key passes, was taken off around the hour mark to presumably keep him fresh for the Manchester United Champions League game in midweek.
#4 Jamal Musiala impresses for Bayern Munich again
After an impressive outing against Atletico Madrid, Jamal Musiala once again impressed for Bayern Munich against Leipzig. Unlike the game against Atletico Madrid, Musiala had less time on the ball but coped well under pressure.
He scored the equaliser after coming on for Martinez in the first half. Musiala was solid with his passing and ball distribution. His finish was a touch of class, and he showed incredible composure for a 17-year-old.
The Bayern Munich teenager ended the game with 52 passes and shielded the ball well despite the Leipzig press. He showed that he could be called upon even in the big games. Musiala is definitely a player the German and English FA could fight for in the coming year.
#5 Daniel Sibert, the referee, has a good game
It might be odd talking about the referee in a thrilling 3-3 game, but that’s how good the official was in the Bayern Munich-Leipzig game.
Despite the VAR and all the technical assistance on the sidelines, referees all over Europe have had a bad time of late. However, Daniel Siebert allowed the game to flow, and it helped produced an enthralling six-goal thriller between the top two teams in the Bundesliga this season.
Tackles and challenges flew in early on in the game, as both teams played some high-intensity football. Siebert could have easily interrupted the game and ask the players to lay back a bit. But that wasn’t the case.
In the end, a good game ensued. There were no questionable decisions, bad tackles or distasteful moments from both Bayern Munich and Leipzig.
