October 17, (THEWILL) – Bayern Munich scored five goals in the first half of their game against Bayer Leverkusen to cement their place at the top of the table.
Both teams had nearly identical records coming into this game, with only goal difference separating them. Both managers were well aware that a victory would propel their teams to the top of the league.
The visitors were the first to strike. Four minutes in, Robert Lewandowski broke the deadlock with a sublime aerial backheel inside the box off a perfectly weighted Dayot Upamecano cross, ending his longest goal drought since November.
With a composed finish inside the box on the half-hour mark, Lewandowski increased his goal tally to nine for the season, completing a Bayern move that started at the back and cut through the Leverkusen defence with pace and precision.
The floodgates then opened as the visitors scored three more goals in less than five minutes. Thomas Müller deflected the ball past Luká Hrádecky off a corner kick. Then Serge Gnabry scored twice in quick succession, his pace and clinical finishing proving too much for the Leverkusen defence.
Both managers made a series of changes in the second half, no doubt due to their European commitments in the middle of the week.
On 55 minutes, however, Bayer Leverkusen scored when Patrik Schick pounced on a Florian Wirtz through
ball. As he slotted the ball past Manuel Neuer, the Czech demonstrated his strength and eye for goal.
However, the game had effectively been put to bed in the first half and the intensity level dropped noticeably towards the end.
Bayer’s next trip will take them to Spain, where they will play Real Betis in the Europa League before returning to Bundesliga action against Köln. Bayern will play Benfica in the Champions League before hosting Hoffenheim.
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.
