FC Bayern literally took RB Leipzig apart in the Bundesliga’s top match. FCBinside provides three insights into the game
Bayern initially fell behind at RB Leipzig, but eventually celebrated a 5-1 victory. The game provided the following insights
1. Right side was the Achilles heel
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany did not have a nominal right-back at his disposal in Leipzig: Konrad Laimer and Josip Stanisic were injured and Sacha Boey is still out sick
Kompany therefore opted for an experiment: youngster Tom Bischof started at right-back, where he had never played before. Theoretically, Raphael Guerreiro could have filled in here, as he has already done so this season, but Kompany took a risk
the fact that the coach also put Lennart Karl on the right side of the attack and left Michael Olise out at the start made things even more difficult for Bischof. The right side became Bayern’s Achilles heel in Leipzig
The coordination between Bischof and Karl was not right at all, with both repeatedly making positional errors. The goal that made it 1-0 for the hosts was exemplary: Karl did not work at the back, Bischof was positioned too high and RB took the lead after an attack down Bayern’s right flank. It was not the only time in this match that Karl neglected his defensive duties
When Olise came on for the 17-year-old in the second half, things also went better for Bischof. Bayern captain Manuel Neuer explained after the game that Leipzig were specifically exploiting his team’s weak point: „The right flank hasn’t played together like this before. These are two young players. If Leipzig’s left flank has played together more often and knows the processes better, that doesn’t make it any easier, of course. Leipzig just knew that our right flank could do more because Stani and Konny are missing.“
Kompany took the mistake – which was of course only a side note after the 5:1 – on his head afterwards: „The goal is more my fault than that of our two boys Bischof and Karl.“
He added: „With a bit more experience, Lenny knows that he doesn’t have to get out of it and has to be a bit more patient, then Bischi stays in the chain. That’s how Bischi gets out, then Upa gets out, but they’re 20 and 17.“
2. Kimmich is indispensable
Kompany corrected his mistake in impressive fashion. He brought on Joshua Kimmich for the second half, who had been missing through injury recently. Many had expected the national team captain to be able to help out at right-back from the start – after all, he has played this position at the top level for a long time
One might have thought that Kimmich would take over on the right after replacing the injured Leon Goretzka and that Bischof could move into the center of midfield alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic, but Kompany ordered Kimmich directly to his usual position in the center
And that was exactly the right decision. Kimmich brought order back into Bayern’s game, demanded balls, distributed them well and was effective in his tackles. Kimmich is simply a real leader, his presence makes him indispensable for Bayern
When you see how Kimmich has performed all season and how he left his mark on Bayern’s game last season, it’s hard to believe that Kompany’s predecessor Thomas Tuchel repeatedly questioned Kimmich’s qualities. The fact that Bayern bosses extended Kimmich’s contract after lengthy negotiations was one of the most important personnel decisions of recent years, alongside the signing of Kompany, who took the team to a new level
In Leipzig, the Belgian then brought on Olise for Karl in the 57th minute. The Frenchman immediately exerted so much pressure on the Leipzig defence that Bischof also stabilized in the second half. Together with the substitution of Kimmich, this was the decisive impetus to turn a 0:1 score into a clear 5:1 victory in the top match
3. Olise’s quality seems limitless
Olise’s performance in Leipzig was simply incredible. The French international shone with three assists and the goal that made the final score 5:1. Leipzig’s defence was simply overwhelmed by his quality. Olise secured the FCBinside grade 1
The 24-year-old’s numbers in the current season are impressive. After 28 competitive matches, the attacking player has 13 goals and 20 assists
And his form is currently on a steep upward curve, with Olise scoring six goals and providing ten assists in the last eight competitive matches alone
„He’s simply a gifted footballer,“ enthused Bayern sporting director Max Eberl after the Leipzig game: „When we brought him in from Crystal Palace, you could already see what he was capable of. But what he has then achieved over the last year and a half together with the coaching team is extraordinary. He has the willingness to keep learning and push the limit further.“
Somehow it’s hard to imagine that you can push the limit much higher, but with Olise in his current form, nothing really seems impossible.