Bayern set to get over rare defeat quickly
BAYERN MUNICH’S first defeat of the year on Sunday, 2-1 at RB Leipzig, doesn’t really harm their Bundesliga title bid but a similar showing in the Champions League could mean trouble.
“It was a good example how the game against Sevilla could go. I expect them to be as strong on their feet,” Munich defender Mats Hummels warned.
Bayern meet Sevilla in the upcoming Champions League quarterfinals as they continue their bid for a title treble. They are in the German cup semifinals and top the Bundesliga 17 points ahead of Schalke.
Sunday’s defeat at the Europa League quarterfinalists Leipzig was Munich’s first of the year and only the second since coach Jupp Heynckes replaced Carlo Ancelotti in September.
The other loss was in the league against Borussia Monchengladbach in late November.
Heynckes appeared not too concerned, saying: “There are always games like today when you’re not at your best and don’t defend well.
“We faced an excellent opponent... We have to acknowledge that. Leipzig were really aggressive and ran hard to press us. We didn’t play as well as in recent weeks. Leipzig deserved to win.”
Liverpool-bound Naby Keita and Germany forward Timo Werner reversed Munich’s early lead from national team striker Sandro Wagner as Leipzig beat Munich for the first time. Heynckes made six changes compared to the side that won 3-1 at Turkey’s Besiktas in the Champions League as he rotates to keep his players fit, but he didn’t want to blame the defeat on the changes.
“That wasn’t the reason. You must try and use all players when the period with many matches comes,” he said.
“We didn’t get into the game and we didn’t act well in defence because there were big holes in midfield.”
Bayern are expected to raise their game again when it matters but Sunday’s loss will now most likely delay the Bundesliga title celebration.
Bayern host major rivals Borussia Dortmund in the next game on March 31 but can only clinch a record-extending sixth straight league crown if second-placed Schalke don’t beat lowly Freiburg earlier that day.
As a result, Bayern’s home fans could be frustrated once again as the team has not managed to seal a Bundesliga title in their home stadium in 18 years, with their 11 titles in the period all wrapped up while playing away from home or not at all. – dpa