RB Leipzig 3-5 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

• What a rollercoaster of a game that was. In the first half it looked like Bayern Munich were going to run away with it, but after subbing off some key players in the second, Nagelsmann allowed RB Leipzig to get back in it. The last 30 minutes were frantic and easily could’ve gone either way — it was sheer determination that got Bayern over the line.
• Sadio Mane seems to have settled very nicely into his role as a striker at Bayern Munich. The former Liverpool man easily could’ve had three goals tonight, being denied by the flag over and over again. Right now, it looks like he’s capable of replacing Lewandowski’s output from the front.
• Jamal Musiala was clearly the star of the show tonight. The youngster was basically unplayable thanks to his silky dribbles and rapid releases when on the ball. RBL simply didn’t know what to do with him. It’s too bad he couldn’t last the full 90, because his removal gave the opponents some leeway to come out and play more aggressively.
• Good to see Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry get goals tonight. Hopefully this gives them both some confidence.
• Manuel Neuer had an uncharacteristically off performance by his standards. Hopefully it’s nothing significant — just a blip on the radar.

90’+8’ — GOAL! Leroy Sane has done it! He’s won the game for Bayern!

88’ — Goal. Olmo makes it 4-3. WHAT IS HAPPENING?

76’ — Goal. RB Leipzig win a penalty thanks to Benjamin Pavard’s missed tackle on Dani Olmo. Nkunku slots it past Neuer.

59’ — Goal. Marcel Halstenberg gets one back for RBL.

45’ — The second half is underway! Bayern just needs to bring it home now.

44’ — GOAL! Benjamin Pavard makes it 3-0! An assist from Musiala!

7’ — Huge risk by Neuer, who chested it to a Leipzig player outside of his box. He’s lucky he didn’t get scored on.

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Julian Nagelsmann opts to start Bayern Munich in what looks like a 4-2-4. Sadio Mane and Thomas Muller will likely be up top, flanked by Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala. Meanwhile Marcel Sabitzer and Joshua Kimmich form the pivot, while Lucas Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano pair up at center back. Benjamin Pavard starts ahead of Noussair Mazraoui while Alphonso Davies and Manuel Neuer are in their usual positions.

Seems like a sensible XI overall.

After a very short preseason, Bayern Munich return to action with silverware on the line in the very first cup game of any campaign — the DFL Supercup. Traditionally, winning the Supercup has been something of a curse for Bayern coaches, as those who win tend to do poorly in the subsequent season. Will that bother Julian Nagelsmann? Probably not — known him, he’ll be laser focused on winning the third trophy of his career.

This will be the first time RB Leipzig will face a Bayern Munich team without Robert Lewandowski, which may give them some hope of overturning their abysmal overall record against the German record champions. To prevent that from happening, Nagelsmann has plenty of tools at his disposal. This game is set to be Sadio Mane’s official debut in a Bayern shirt, and he’ll be playing alongside the likes of Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, Alphonso Davies, and more. With that kind of support, Lewandowski’s absence shouldn’t be a major issue.

The formation could be a 4-2-3-1, a 4-2-2-2, a 3-5-2, or anything in between. We’re so early in the season that it’s really not set in stone. While this may be a competitive game, everyone knows that the DFL Supercup isn’t that important, potentially giving the coach some breathing room to experiment. That doesn’t mean that fans don’t demand a win, though.

While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our preview podcast? Listen to it below or at this link.
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Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!

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