RB LEIPZIG HELD Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich to a goalless draw at the Allianz Arena on Sunday to stay just one point behind the defending champions in the title race.
Leipzig worked tirelessly to thwart the hosts, for whom victory would have opened up a four-point gap after third-placed Borussia Dortmund’s 4-3 loss at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Bayern are bidding to win an eighth straight league title.
They were awarded a second-half penalty which was then reversed when VAR showed Robert Lewandowski had been offside.
Advertisement
Second-placed Leipzig often rode their luck to repeatedly frustrate Bayern, but wasted a series of second-half chances themselves.
The top-of-the-table clash, in front of 75,000 spectators, was the only top-tier fixture in Germany on Sunday after Borussia Moenchengladbach’s home game against Cologne was postponed earlier due to severe weather warnings.
Despite dominating possession, Bayern could not finish the first-half opportunities which fell to Lewandowski, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Mueller.
It was not until after the break that the visitors really threatened Bayern’s goal, as two huge chances went begging.
Captain Marcel Sabitzer fired an effort over the crossbar, with the goal at his mercy, at the start of the second half.
Timo Werner then pinched possession and rounded Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had come to the edge of the box for a clearance.
But Bayern defender David Alaba got back to block his shot and deny the striker a 21st league goal of the season.
With 53 minutes gone, Bayern were awarded a penalty when Lewandowski went down in the area after Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano clipped his boot.
The Poland striker was poised to add to his league-leading tally so far of 22 Bundesliga goals this term, but was denied by VAR.
There was some good news for Bayern in the second half as defender Lucas Hernandez and winger Kingsley Coman came on for their first appearances after long-term injuries.
With 10 minutes left, Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi came to his side’s rescue with a stunning, diving save.
The Hungarian did superbly well to deny Goretzka who had broken through the defence, but was left with his head in the hands as Gulacsi pushed the ball around the post.
Related Reads
Sheffield United weather the storm against Bournemouth to climb to fifth
Resurgent Everton beat Palace to make it 17 points out of 24 under Ancelotti
'I'm pinching myself' - Liverpool chairman can hardly believe record-breaking Premier League form
At the other end, Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich intercepted ex-Everton winger Ademola Lookman’s cross, meant for Werner, just before the final whistle.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Lewandowski sees penalty reversed by VAR as Leipzig hold Bayern
RB LEIPZIG HELD Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich to a goalless draw at the Allianz Arena on Sunday to stay just one point behind the defending champions in the title race.
Leipzig worked tirelessly to thwart the hosts, for whom victory would have opened up a four-point gap after third-placed Borussia Dortmund’s 4-3 loss at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Bayern are bidding to win an eighth straight league title.
They were awarded a second-half penalty which was then reversed when VAR showed Robert Lewandowski had been offside.
Second-placed Leipzig often rode their luck to repeatedly frustrate Bayern, but wasted a series of second-half chances themselves.
The top-of-the-table clash, in front of 75,000 spectators, was the only top-tier fixture in Germany on Sunday after Borussia Moenchengladbach’s home game against Cologne was postponed earlier due to severe weather warnings.
Despite dominating possession, Bayern could not finish the first-half opportunities which fell to Lewandowski, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Mueller.
It was not until after the break that the visitors really threatened Bayern’s goal, as two huge chances went begging.
Captain Marcel Sabitzer fired an effort over the crossbar, with the goal at his mercy, at the start of the second half.
Timo Werner then pinched possession and rounded Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had come to the edge of the box for a clearance.
But Bayern defender David Alaba got back to block his shot and deny the striker a 21st league goal of the season.
With 53 minutes gone, Bayern were awarded a penalty when Lewandowski went down in the area after Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano clipped his boot.
The Poland striker was poised to add to his league-leading tally so far of 22 Bundesliga goals this term, but was denied by VAR.
There was some good news for Bayern in the second half as defender Lucas Hernandez and winger Kingsley Coman came on for their first appearances after long-term injuries.
With 10 minutes left, Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi came to his side’s rescue with a stunning, diving save.
The Hungarian did superbly well to deny Goretzka who had broken through the defence, but was left with his head in the hands as Gulacsi pushed the ball around the post.
At the other end, Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich intercepted ex-Everton winger Ademola Lookman’s cross, meant for Werner, just before the final whistle.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Bundesliga RB Leipzig Robert Lewandowski Bayern Munich