Missed statement after the Max Eberl quake: A day after the surprising sacking of the sporting director, RB Leipzig showed a strong performance in the Bundesliga hit against FC Bayern Munich, but in the end had to settle for a 2:2 (2:0). In front of German coach Julian Nagelsmann, Lois Openda (20th) and Castello Lukeba (26th) gave RB a two-goal lead before the break. Harry Kane (57th) reduced by hand penalty but before 47 069 fans and Leroy Sané (70th) ensured with his goal that Bayern remain unbeaten.
The dominant theme of the summit was in the ad hoc dismissal of Eberl a day earlier off the pitch. Leipzig's supervisory board head Oliver Mintzlaff once again emphasized the inevitability of the decision. "It could not be saved," the 48-year-old said on Sky. That's why they had acted so consistently, he added. Eberl has been traded for months as sports director at FC Bayern. Because the 50-year-old let pass the chance to a clear commitment to RB for the umpteenth time during the week, Mintzlaff acted.
The process had already begun in the spring. "Of course, one would have liked that there is more conviction," Mintzlaff said. He had long fought for Eberl, the sadder that is. The management of RB also had the feeling that it was no longer possible. As chairman of the supervisory board, he had been part of the process, he said. "This has been a tough decision," the managing director of the main sponsor emphasized. "Makers or not, this is of course disappointing that one has come to such a misjudgment together."
On the pitch, Bayern initially showed that they want to make up for the 0:3 defeat from the Supercup at the end of August against Leipzig. After just three minutes, Jamal Musiala appeared alone in front of the Leipzig goal after a beautiful interface pass from Harry Kane. But keeper Janis Blaswich parried with a brilliant reflex.
Leipzig seemed impressed and left the ball to the record champion. Then it was Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich who brought the hosts back into the game. The 35-year-old had rushed out of goal for a save, but cleared right at the feet of Forsberg. The Swede narrowly missed the target from just over 40 yards, but suddenly it was a different game - one that was rewarded with Leipzig taking the lead. Openda shook off Minjae Kim after a pass from Xaver Schlager in a sprint and overcame Ulreich.
The goalkeeper then had a share in the second Leipzig goal. Ulreich did not reach a corner from David Raum, Openda put back by head and Lukeba, signed in the summer, scored for Leipzig for the first time. The day could have gone even worse for Ulreich. Shortly before the break he fetched Openda in the penalty area of the legs, but the action had no consequences because of a previous offside position.
President Herbert Hainer looked at the Tribune to the break anything but enthusiastic. His Bavarians knew with 65 percent ball possession little to do, seemed immobile and uninspired. Apart from a couple of shots from Kingsley Coman and Sané that landed wide of the goal, there was not much to see offensively. Coach Thomas Tuchel reacted, needed after the break Mathys Tel and Raphael Guerreiro for Coman and Leon Goretzka.
A quite avoidable penalty then made the Bavarians hope again. In a free kick by Joshua Kimmich (55.) stretched the standing in the wall Benjamin Henrichs the elbow out and fended off the ball so. Referee Marco Fritz did not see the scene at first, but gave a penalty kick after watching the video. Kane converted safely to his eighth season goal.
Bayern increased the pressure noticeably, pushed almost the entire Leipzig team back into their own penalty area. The hosts were only on fast switching game, sent again and again the lively Openda with long balls.
A quick counterattack via Musiala completed but the Bavarians as from the textbook by Sané equalizer. And they continued to press, but also Leipzig came again dangerously before the guest goal, when Benjamin Sesko missed by centimeters an entry in injury time and later failed at the rushed out Ulreich. On the opposite side, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting headed into Blaswich's arms from five yards out A goal was not scored.
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