RB Leipzig Frustrate Leaders Bayern Munich To Barren Draw
10th February 2020
The top-of-the-table clash, in front of 75,000 spectators, was the only top-tier fixture in Germany on Sunday.
- RB Leipzig held Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich to a goalless draw at the Allianz Arena on Sunday to stay just one point behind the defending champions in the title race.
- Leipzig worked tirelessly to thwart the hosts, for whom victory would have opened up a four-point gap after third-placed Borussia Dortmund's 4-3 loss at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
- With 10 minutes left, Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi came to his side's rescue with a stunning, diving save.
MUNICH, Germany- RB
Leipzig held Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich to a goalless draw at the Allianz
Arena on Sunday to stay just one point behind the defending champions in the
title race.
Leipzig worked tirelessly to thwart the hosts, for whom
victory would have opened up a four-point gap after third-placed Borussia
Dortmund's 4-3 loss at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Bayern are bidding to win an eighth straight league title.
They were awarded a second-half penalty which was then
reversed when VAR showed Robert Lewandowski had been offside.
Second-placed Leipzig often rode their luck to repeatedly
frustrate Bayern, but wasted a series of second-half chances themselves.
"The problem was that both teams could live with this
0-0 draw," admitted Bayern forward Thomas Mueller.
"In the end, neither team wanted to take the absolute
risks, which meant we didn't play to our strengths."
Leipzig striker Timo Werner, who missed a golden opportunity
on 63 minutes, rued his team's missed chances, including a skied effort by
captain Marcel Sabitzer.
"In the beginning, it seemed just a matter of time
before we scored," admitted Werner.
"But in the second half we played as our coach (Julian
Nagelsmann) wanted and were the better team. We could have won."
The top-of-the-table clash, in front of 75,000 spectators,
was the only top-tier fixture in Germany on Sunday.
Borussia Moenchengladbach's home game against Cologne was
postponed earlier due to severe weather warnings.
Despite dominating possession, Bayern could not finish the
first-half opportunities which fell to Lewandowski, Leon Goretzka and Thomas
Mueller.
It was not until after the break that the visitors really
threatened Bayern's goal, as three huge chances went begging.
Sabitzer fired an effort over the crossbar, with the goal at
his mercy, at the start of the second half.
Then Timo Werner then pinched possession and rounded Bayern
goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had come to the edge of the box for a clearance.
But Bayern defender David Alaba got back to block his shot
and deny the striker a 21st league goal of the season.
With 53 minutes gone, Bayern were awarded a penalty when
Lewandowski went down in the area after Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano
clipped his boot.
The Poland striker was poised to add to his league-leading
tally so far of 22 Bundesliga goals this term, but was denied by VAR.
Then just after the hour mark, Werner wasted a golden chance
served up to him.
He was set up perfectly by Leipzig winger Christopher
Nkunku, but the could only watch as his shot flew wide of the Bayern goal.
There was good news for the hosts in the second half as
defender Lucas Hernandez and winger Kingsley Coman came on for their first
appearances after long-term injuries.
With 10 minutes left, Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi came
to his side's rescue with a stunning, diving save.
The Hungarian did superbly well to deny Goretzka who had
broken through the defence, but was left with his head in the hands as Gulacsi
pushed the ball around the post.
At the other end, Bayern's Joshua Kimmich intercepted
ex-Everton winger Ademola Lookman's cross, meant for Werner, just before the
final whistle.