Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings Neuer Gets Sent Off As FC Bayern Are Out Of The DFB Pokal Again

Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen was certainly a big matchup in the DFB Pokal Round of 16. While Leverkusen went unbeaten in the whole domestic season the previous year, they are currently unable to replicate that form, although losing just one game in the league so far. On the other hand, Bayern Munich are in red-hot form in the league but recently drew 1-1 versus Borussia Dortmund and lost their talisman Harry Kane to an injury.

The game started evenly but things took a turn when Manuel Neuer got sent off for the first time ever in his professional career, sending Bayern down to 10 men. Bayern adjusted to this quickly and tried to hit Leverkusen on the counter. Both teams got good chances but failed to convert them.

The game continued to be overly aggressive in the second half too, with both sides making brash tackles which got the yellow cards flowing. At any point, it did not feel like Bayern Munich were a man down. In the 69th minute, Nathan Tella’s header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner broke the deadlock. After the goal, Leverkusen made sure to lock down, denying Bayern any clear cut chances.

Bayern Munich Player Ratings vs Leverkusen

Goalkeepers

Neuer: 1/10 – Neuer got it completely wrong in his decision-making to stop Jeremie Frimpong from scoring and got sent off rightfully so for denying Leverkusen an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.

Defenders

Laimer: 7/10 – He kept up with the wide attackers, who are known for their rapid pace. He equally contributed in the attack too, being at the receiving end of multiple counter attacks.

Upamecano: 5/10 – His mistake almost costed them a goal in the first half and he was not really effective on the ball.

Kim Min-jae: 7/10 – He cut off passes that could have ended up in a deadly counter. He dealt well with the pressure of Leverkusen forwards and was unlucky to not get on the scoresheet.

Davies: 7/10 – Bombing down the flank with pace, troubling the fullback. He tried to create chances via crosses and link up play with the midfield.

Midfielders

Kimmich: 8/10 – Kimmich as usual was impressive, especially with his passing. He created good chances via setpieces.

Goretzka: 6/10 – Got a good chance to score from a header via a setpiece. He got a yellow card for an unnecessary tackle.

Forwards

Coman: 6/10 – He tried to make something happen with the chances that he got. Created a good chance with a cross to Kim.

Olise: 5/10 – While Olise did have some good moments on corners, it was a surprisingly quiet game for him as he was not able to make

Sane: 4/10 – He did not get to play the whole game, as he got subbed off for Daniel Peretz as Manuel Neuer got sent off.

Musiala: 6/10 – Playing as a striker tonight in the absence of Harry Kane, Musiala tried his best. While he made runs behind the defence, it felt he was unsuitable for the role because he could not make good use of the crosses coming into the box from wide players.

Substitutes

Peretz: 5/10 – With a huge responsibility laid on him all of a sudden, Peretz tried to step up to the occasion. He made some saves but in the end conceded the goal.

Gnabry: 5/10

Pavlovic: 6/10

Boey: 5/10

Tel: NA

Manager

Kompany: 6/10 – Started the game with a risky high line, but adapted fairly well to the red card, making his team solid at the back and hitting the opposition on the counter.

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Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings vs Bayern Munich

Goalkeepers

Kovar: 6/10 – Nothing extraordinary, he kept Bayern out whenever he faced any shots but was not threatened massively.

Defenders

Mukiele: 6/10 – Struggled to keep up with Davies, made good runs into the opposition half, often trying to take shots or put crosses.

Tapsoba: 6/10 – His excessive aggression got a yellow and set the tone for the game.

Tah: 7/10 – Calm and composed on the ball, Tah ensured the game went smoothly recycling possession whenever possible. He made a big tackle on Gnabry to deny him a goalscoring chance.

Hincapie: 6/10 – He neutralised attacks from the right, winning duels against the Bayern attackers.

Midfielders

Xhaka: 6.5/10 – Xhaka made a brilliant last-ditch tackle to stop Bayern in their tracks.

Palacios: 5.5/10 – Won the duels in the midfield and contributed in the attack.

Andrich: 5/10 – Lost the ball in a few occasions and did not trouble the opposition too much. He got subbed off at half time as a part of tactical decision.

Forwards

Grimaldo: 8.5/10 – Made a crucial challenge to deny a great chance on the counter. He put a great cross into the box for Tella for the opener.

Frimpong: 7/10 – He forced Neuer to come out of the box thereby sending him off, which helped Leverkusen immensely. He had a chance in the injury time to seal the game but could not finish it.

Wirtz: 7.5/10 – As the sole attacking player on the pitch, Wirtz had a lot of responsibility. His dribbly runs caused problems to Bayern’s defense, with them struggling to contain him. He was unlucky to not get on the scoresheet.

Substitutes

Schick: 3/10 – He did not get enough time to make an impact, as he went off injured within 15 minutes.

Tella: 8/10 – He scored the opener in a typical striker fashion, making the run into the box and heading it in.

Arthur: 6/10

Manager

Alonso: 7/10 – Surprising decision to not start Schick who was in great form. Yet he won the tactical battle again vs Kompany. He tried to throw it all at the 10 men of Bayern with the substitution of an attacker Schick in the place of defensive midfielder Andrich. He ensured that his team maintained the composure after scoring the goal.

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