Bayern Munich blow chance to claim title with draw in Leipzig
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Updated 11/05/2019 at 15:58 GMT
Bundesliga, Red Bull Arena – RB Leipzig 0 Bayern Munich 0.
Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski and David Alaba react
Image credit: Reuters
Bayern Munich missed the chance to seal their seventh straight Bundesliga title after being held to a 0-0 draw against RB Leipzig, keeping the championship race open until the final day of the season next weekend.
With Borussia Dortmund beating Fortuna Dusseldorf 3-2, Niko Kovac’s side face Eintracht Frankfurt next Saturday two points in front of Dortmund who go to Werder Bremen.
It was a closely fought battle between Bayern and Leipzig, the two most in-form sides since the winter break with defences firmly on top.
Serge Gnabry was denied twice by good saves by the keeper while Tino Werner and Yussuf Poulsen went close for the home side.
The second half was a scrappy affair although the visitors had a goal by Leon Goretzka controversially ruled out for off-side in the build-up following a VAR review.
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Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich is challenged by Amadou Haidara of RB Leipzig during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Muenchen at Red Bull Arena on May 11, 2019 in Leipzig, Germany.
Image credit: Getty Images
Gnabry also rattled the woodwork but was flagged off-side while substitute Franck Ribery went close with a cheeky backheel as Leipzig held on to set up a dramatic battle for the Bundesliga.
TALKING POINT
Why did Niko Kovac wait to the 78th minute to make a change? Bayern were not at their best going forward with Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller and Leon Goretzka having an off day. But it was not until late on that Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben were brought on with Dortmund winning at that point against Dusseldorf and a victory guaranteeing Bayern the title and an almighty knees-up in Bavaria.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Peter Gulacsi (RB Leipzig): Impressive performance from the Hungarian, making a string of important saves and commanding his box along with his compatriot Willi Orban. He was also quick off his line to narrow the angle when Gnabry was put through on two occasions.
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Leipzig's Hungarian goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi celebrates after he made a save during the German first division Bundesliga football match RB Leipzig vs FC Bayern Munich in Leipzig, eastern Germany on May 11, 2019.
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY MOMENTS:
9’ - WHAT A MISS! Lovely lofted ball form Thiago to Lewandowski who scuffs it wide, the striker is flagged off-side to spare his blushes.
29’ - CHANCE! Lewandowski finds Gnabry in the area whose shot is blocked by the keeper!
50’ – DISALLOWED GOAL! Goretzka volleys it in from the area after a poor header by Konate. But VAR rules it was off-side, that looked harsh.
65’ - CHANCE! Alaba gets to the byline and sends in a cross for Muller but his header is well over. The old Muller would have buried that.
66’ - WOODWORK! Gnabry rattles the bar after being put through by Muller, the flag has gone up though.
83’ - CHANCE! Ribery nearly backflicks it into the goal from a low cross which is saved, Haidara with the clearance.
PLAYER RATINGS:
RB LEIPZIG: Gulacsi 8, Orban 8, Konate 7, Sabitzer 7, Poulsen 6, Forsberg 5, Werner 6, Klosterman 7, Halstenber 5, Laimer 5, Demme 5. Subs: Haidara n/a, Mukiele n/a, Smith-Rowe n/a.
BAYERN MUNICH: Ulreich 5, Sule 8, Hummels 8, Thiago 6, Lewandowski 5, Goretzka 6, Gnabry 5, Muller 4, Alaba 6, Coman 5, Kimmich 5. Subs: Rafinha n/a, Ribery n/a, Robben n/a.
KEY STATS
Peter Gulacsi kept his 16th clean sheet of the season.
Rafinha came on for his 266th competitive match for Bayern, pulling level with Giovane Elber as the Brazilians with the most appearances for the club.
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