February 27, (THEWILL) – Leroy Sane’s second-half goal gave Bayern Munich a 1-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday night and avenge the loss they suffered in their first meeting this season.
Frankfurt handed Bayern Munich their first defeat under Julian Nagelsmann’s tenure back in October, but this weekend’s Topspiel saw them take a more significant proactive stance.
Frankfurt chose their opportunities to relentlessly push the league leaders, funnelling a swarm of black shirts forward in support of every high turnover, maybe sensing the fragility in a Bayern side without Manuel Neuer, Leon Goretzka, and Thomas Muller, among others.
In the seventh minute, Frankfurt’s Filip Kostic was on the end of a breakaway but shot wide.
Despite their recent problems (two defeats in seven games this calendar year), Bayern is still Europe’s most prolific team. And they demonstrated why once again. Within the first ten minutes, Benjamin Pavard volleyed wide from close range and Jamal Musiala directed a snapshot header over the bar.
When Frankfurt took the unusual step of leaving the feared number nine unmarked in a set piece, Robert Lewandowski also missed the target. Kevin Trapp, who was named man of the match in that October victory, put his head on the line half an hour in to catch Kingsley Coman’s brutal rebound in the face.
Frankfurt was back under siege within ten minutes of resumption from half time break. During a flurry of set pieces, the hosts’ defence duo of Evan N’Dicka and Tuta only just scrambled the ball out from beneath their own crossbar to prevent an opener.
On the hour, Frankfurt’s goalkeeper was vigilant once more, smothering Lewandowski with a more conventional portion of his anatomy.
But, Bayern ultimately broke the deadlock when Sane was introduced in the second half. Sane beat Trapp to the ball after latching onto Joshua Kimmich’s defence-splitting through ball. It was the 71st consecutive Bundesliga match that Bayern had found the net.
The feisty hosts’ sporadic rushes towards Bayern’s goal ensured the game did not come to a peaceful conclusion. But Nagelsmann’s team held on to earn their first clean sheet in five games and extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
