Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Winners and Losers from Bundesliga Game
Bayern Munich surged to the top of the Bundesliga table in Saturday's match with Bayer Leverkusen, claiming the spoils of the clash with a 3-0 victory at the Allianz Arena.
The fixture, which put two sides with perfect records against each other, was decided by a brace from Thomas Muller and a third goal by Arjen Robben, with the visitors rarely looking a threat to Pep Guardiola's side.
Bleacher Report has analyzed the match, picking out those who got the better and the worse of the action on Saturday. Click "Begin Slideshow" to see our picks.
Winner: Thomas Muller
1 of 6
According to his position in the starting XI, Thomas Muller was not lined up to score goals. He formally played deeper than the front three of Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski and Douglas Costa. Yet when Costa got the better of Roberto Hilbert on the wing, it was Muller rather than Lewandowski who was waiting in the center to meet his cross for Bayern’s opener.
Later, Muller stepped up to score the penalty that put the result to rest. And although he could have had his hat trick a few minutes thereafter, the Germany international did Robben a favor by allowing his teammate to take another spot kick. It was a very unselfish move from Muller, one that many statistically concerned, egotistical superstars would not make.
Winner: David Alaba
2 of 6
Defenders often don't get the credit they deserve, but in this case, it's hard to overlook David Alaba's influence. The Austrian indeed made a terrific goal-line clearance to deny Leverkusen an equalizer, but that was just part of a thoroughly brilliant performance by arguably the most complete and versatile player in world football.
Out of his natural position and partnered with a midfielder with no experience in defense, Alaba engaged the towering Stefan Kiessling and the lightning-quick Karim Bellarabi and always came out on top.
Statistics (per Bundesliga.com) will show that Alaba won nine of 11 attempted tackles and had 90 touches on the ball, but the Austrian's performance was so much more. Leverkusen had a strong attack and Bayern a very peculiar defense, yet the hosts kept a clean sheet with many thanks to Alaba.
Winner: Pep Guardiola
3 of 6
This season has seen Bayern change its playing style yet again, and this time, Pep Guardiola seems to have brought back the principles that made Bayern unstoppable in 2012-13. The changes and their effectiveness were on full display against Leverkusen.
Specifically, Bayern is using the breadth of the pitch much more than previously under Guardiola. As during the Heynckes era, Bayern is attacking almost exclusively on the wing, with Douglas Costa and Arjen Robben running rampant and supported by two qualified attacking full-backs.
As well, Bayern has moved from a possession-based game to a containment style much more typical of the treble-winning team. In 2012-13, Heynckes’ side was masterful in defense in part due to great defenders, but with much owed to the partnership that Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger formed in midfield, screening for the center-backs and leaving their work far easier to do.
On Saturday, Bayern (per Bundesliga.com) enjoyed 62 percent of the touches and an 85 percent pass completion rate. These numbers were modest by the standards they held as a possession-based side and were actually a bit lower while the result was still in the balance.
Yet Xabi Alonso’s inexperience as a defender and a lack of height in the back four was never exposed. Much credit goes to an effective containment strategy in midfield that focused neither on possession nor ultra-high pressing, but precise positioning and understanding of roles. It was a return to the roots of Bayern’s previous heights, and it was a resounding success.
Loser: Dante
4 of 6
Per ESPN FC, in April Guardiola said he would “like 1,000 Dantes in his team.” On Saturday, with Jerome Boateng suspended and Mehdi Benatia, Holger Badstuber and Javi Martinez injured, he had an opportunity to play his one—and only—Dante, his one and only available, natural center-back.
Instead of choosing Dante in his starting lineup, Guardiola opted for a back four with Juan Bernat, David Alaba, Philipp Lahm and, oddly, Xabi Alonso. There may not be any more damning an indictment of a center-back than when the coach selects an aging holding midfielder never known for his physicality ahead of him.
Loser: Roberto Hilbert
5 of 6
Between 2007 and 2008, Roberto Hilbert made eight appearances for the senior German national team. After Saturday’s performance, it’s unlikely he will earn a recall anytime soon, even as Joachim Low searches for a long-term replacement for former captain Philipp Lahm.
Hilbert was burned for pace by Douglas Costa and declined to commit a professional foul that would have resulted in a yellow card. As a result, play continued and Bayern scored the opener.
After the break, the result was put beyond a shadow of a doubt thanks to two penalties, both of which were perhaps a bit soft, but both of which were indeed conceded by Hilbert. Leverkusen clearly have cause for concern at right-back as their Champions League campaign awaits.
Winner: Douglas Costa
6 of 6
The Bundesliga's sensational signing of the season thus far put on a brilliant performance on Saturday, again making Franck Ribery appear a distant memory.
Douglas Costa was a live wire throughout the match and made the difference when the result was still in the balance. His blistering pace was too much for Hilbert to handle as he surged forward to cross for Muller's opener, and the Brazilian was unlucky to be denied by the woodwork shortly thereafter.
Costa continued to dazzle in the second half, and his confidence now is clearly at a high. Fans caught an extra glimpse of it late in the match when he performed a "rainbow" near the touchline.
