RB Leipzig 0-1 Bayern Munich: 5 hits and flops as holders consolidate title hopes with huge win | Bundesliga 2020-21

Bayern Munich opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga table after seeing off their nearest rivals RB Leipzig 1-0 at the Red Bull Arena. Leon Goretzka's first-half strike was enough to secure all three points as Robert Lewandowski, who's currently out with a knee injury, was not missed.

The Red Bulls had more possession tonight (54%-46%) and even mustered more shots (14-9), but couldn't make their dominance count.

Christopher Nkunku and Marcel Sabitzer were both guilty of missing one good chance each early on in the second-half as Leipzig threatened to equalize.

However, the Bavarians held on, even weathering a late storm, as Hansi Flick's side edged closer to a ninth successive league title.

Here are five hits and flops from the match:

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Hit: Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)

Goretzka sprung to life and fired the elusive winner for Bayern tonight

For all the cacophony of a dip in form, Leon Goretzka just scored a goal which could possibly hand Bayern Munich the Bundesliga shield once again.

Latching onto Thomas Muller's brilliant cut-back, the midfielder thumped home a superb finish into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

It was his fifth goal of the season, and probably the most important too. The 26-year old put the lid on all talks of a decline with a superb overall performance, and a peach of a goal too.

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Flop: Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig)

Olmo's misses proved very costly for Leipzig

As mentioned before, Leipzig weren't without their chances, but some wastefulness cost them the game tonight, especially from Dani Olmo.

The 22-year old missed two great chances and could've potentially altered the course of the match had he dispatched them.

Amadou Haidara played a lovely cross onto Olmo in the 34th minute when the scores were still deadlocked at 0-0, but the midfielder somehow lost his balance and failed to get a shot off.

Just four minutes later, Leon Goretzka scored and made it 1-0 to Bayern.

Then early on in the second-half, a cross ricocheted off Alaba and into the path of Olmo, who just had to bury it, but somehow contrived to fire it wide from eight yards out.

In what's been a breakout season for the Spaniard with both club and country, that was truly disappointing.

Hit: Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich)

Hernandez turned in a superb all-round performance tonight

It was by far the Frenchman's best performance for Bayern Munich this season.

Lucas Hernandez was a constant threat down the left flank, linking-up with the attackers whilst also feeding them with a few lovely crosses.

With the Red Bulls amping up the pressure after the break, Bayern were pushed on the back foot, and once again, Hernandez played a crucial role in helping them soak up the pressure.

The former Real Madrid man was particularly involved in keeping Christopher Nkunku quiet, following him like a shadow and never allowing his compatriot too much time and space on the ball.

He finished the game with seven tackles, more than anyone else, but also four interceptions and two aerial duels.

Not bad.

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Flop: Leipzig's title hopes

Julian Nagelsmann's side are left with a mountain to climb following the loss

With just four points separating the sides before the kick-off, Leipzig knew they had to win the game, come hell or high water, for that was the only way they could've kept their title hopes alive.

However, with the Bavarians proving too strong for them once again, the Red Bulls, regrettably, can kiss those hopes goodbye after tonight's loss.

Even with seven more games still to go, it's hard to imagine Bayern letting slip a seven-point lead at this juncture of the season.

If they can win their biggest league match so far without their prolific striker Robert Lewandowski in the squad, then the possibilities with him in the side for the remainder of the season are very limited. For Hansi Flick's whipping boys must already be dreaming of an unprecedented ninth consecutive Meisterschale.

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Hit: Hansi Flick (Bayern Munich)

Hansi Flick showed why he's one of the best managers around!

Last but not the least, some credit must go to Bayern's manager too, who simply refuses to make any mistake.

Even without his main targetman leading the line, Hansi Flick didn't fold, and exhibited an incredible tactical masterclass.

He played a relatively low backline to absorb the pressure from Leipzig's initial press, with Goretzka deployed next to Kimmich to ensure a stronger defensive shape.

In the second-half, with Bayern struggling to control the match, they remained well-drilled and denied Leipzig too many chances.

The German successfully guided the side to a historic second treble last year and has proved, with his tactical acumen this season, that he's not a fluke and effectively sealed another Bundesliga title with his ingenuity.