Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen: Second half kicks off!

45’ — The second half is underway!

Halftime observations and analysis

Bayern Munich deserve to be ahead on the balance of play, but Xabi Alonso has imported Real Madrid’s voodoo to this Bayer Leverkusen team. It’s surprising to see them park the bus, but it’s worked out for them so far.

Both goals scored were so unlikely. xG is a myth.

Felix Zwayer has to be the worst kind of referee for big games like this. How the DFL keeps picking him like this is a mystery.

The goal he scored erases Pavlović’s mistake leading to the opener. Otherwise, the youngster has been having a really good performance.

It appears that the “twenty goals in a single week” statistic was a significant outlier — Bayern Munich have found it very hard to break down this Leverkusen defense. So far.

Halftime: Bayern Munich 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen.

38’ — GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Pavlović makes it 1-1!

30’ — Goal. Robert Andrich scores against the run of play.

Kickoff: We are underway!

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Bayern Munich will start with all their heavy hitters up top, including Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, and Serge Gnabry. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović start in midfield, while Guerreiro and Davies play on the flanks. Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae will be tasked with handling Leverkusen in the center.

This is basically the same starting XI that beat Dinamo Zagreb 9-2. Will we see a repeat of that performance?

Bayern Munich have always been THE team to beat in German football, a reputation earned courtesy of a long history of silverware at the very top level of professional football. However, that same reputation took a beating last season, thanks to the exploits of Xabi Alonso and this Bayer Leverkusen superteam.

Vincent Kompany is here to set the record straight, and he has one hell of a team to do it with. Coming off a week where twenty goals were scored, people expect big things from this Bayern Munich side. Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, and Harry Kane have all been on fire this season, while the Pavlović-Kimmich midfield has dealt with all challenges thus far. Still, can they handle Leverkusen? Especially THIS Leverkusen?

It’s Bayern time.

While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our preview podcast? Listen to it below or on Spotify.

Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Time: 6:30 pm local time, 12:30 pm EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

Tips for commenting:

If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself! We’re mostly very friendly! Also, we’re from all parts of the world so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog. Use the on-screen “Refresh comments” button to periodically load new comments. Keep the sorting to “newest” to easily follow the conversation. It puts the newest comments at the top. Here at BFW we celebrate every goal like they do in the stadium: with a chant. The goal chants are for everyone to participate in! Even if you’re lagging behind the others, keep replying to the most recent call of the player’s name. Even if you missed the first call, just start from the second, and so on. While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language is not allowed whatsoever.

Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!

Looking for an unending well of Bayern Munich content? Sign up for an SBNation account and join the conversation on Bavarian Football Works. Whether it’s full match coverage and analysis, breaking news, podcasts or something completely different, we have it all.

Click here to read article