He was a regular first team player for Bayern Munich (79 appearances) between 2014 and 2017, he won three titles with the Bavarians, and he just might cost his former team it’s 11th Bundesliga title. Spaniard Xabi Alonso faced Bayern for the first time, this time as a coach, and he made an instant success – Leverkusen – Bayern 1-2. In a very interesting match, the visitors were expected to win and continue their winning streak, which was the case until 55th minute, when they made two costly mistakes within 20 minutes and allowed Leverkusen to earn a win. Bayer only won nine points from their first 12 Bundesliga games this season. In the subsequent 13 matches since (including today’s win), they have collected 28 points, more than Bayern’s 27 during the same number of games.Bayern with Xabi Alonso in midfield against Bayer Leverkusen:◎ 6 games◎ 0 defeatsBayern against Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen:◉ 1 game◉ 1 defeat pic.twitter.com/QOoOGyuxSN— Squawka (@Squawka) March 19, 2023 This was a game of mistakes, as all three goals came from defenders’ dark moments. The referee was also one of the main ‘actors’ in this match, as he failed to point to the penalty spot twice, and gave Bayer’s forward a yellow card for simulating twice, but was overturned by VAR in both occasions. This win also marked the end of a perfect Bayern start this season. Up to this match, when the Bavarians took a 1-0 lead, they never lost the game (15 wins and four draws). On one hand it’s good that this defeat came before the international break, as Nagelsmann will have plenty of time for analysis, but on the other hand, the German press will now have 10 days to ‘crucify’ his team. And after the break, Bayern will host Borussia Dortmund, who are now Bundesliga leaders.The home team opened the game better and even had two half chances before conceding the unlucky goal. Bayern was in the opponent’s penalty area when the ball went to the feet of Goretzka, who passed the ball to Kimmich and the Munchen midfielder took a shot, but the ball hit Kossounou and made a huge deflection to the opposite corner for 1-0. That was basically it for the first half, but the second one was much more interesting. It started with Bayer’s better performance, with more ball possession and initiative. For some reason, coach Julian Nagelsmann made three changes at half time and Koman, Musiala and Gnabry all came in. In the 53rd minute, Adli came to the penalty area and fell down. The referee thought that Leverkusen’s player was faking a penalty and gave him a yellow card, but it was as actually Pavard who stepped onto Adli’s heel and the VAR showed it. Exequiel Palacios was precise and it was 1-1. 20 minutes later, same situation! Adli goes down, referee gives him a yellow card for faking, VAR shows it was a penalty, Palacios is precise: 2-1, game over, Bayern lost!BUNDESLIGA – ROUND 25FridayBorussia Monchengladbach – Werder 2-2 (0-0)/Thuram 48, Neuhaus 73 – Ducksch 65, 89/SaturdayAugsburg – Schalke 1-1 (0-0)/Maier 51 – Bulter 90+3 pen/Stuttgart – Wolfsburg 0-1 (0-0)/Marmousch 56/Bochum – RB Leipzig 1-0 (0-0)/Masovic 48/Hoffenheim – Hertha 3-1 (2-0)/Kramaric 24 pen, 37 pen, Bebou 51 – Jovetic 90+2/Dortmund – Koln 6-1 (4-1)/Guerreiro 15, Haller 17, 69, Reus 32, 70, Malen 36 – Selke 42/SundayUnion Berlin – Eintr.Frankfurt 2-0 (0-0)/Khedira 53, Behrens 75/Leverkusen – Bayern 2-1 (0-1)/Palacios 55(p), 73(p) – Kimmich 21/21:30: (2.25) Mainz (3.45) Freiburg (3.40)***odds are subject to change***
