RB Leipzig scared Bayern in nine-goal thriller — Lahm
BERLIN: Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm conceded RB Leipzig gave the Bundesliga champions a fright before Arjen Robben’s 95thminute superb solo goal sealed a 54 victory in Saturday’s nine-goal thriller.
Carlo Ancelotti’s star- studded Bayern, who were a l ready conf i rmed a s Bunde sl i ga champions for the fifth straight year, were 4- 3 down on 90 minutes in Leipzig before David Alaba and Robben netted late goals.
The 33-year- old Robben proved he had the legs to sprint clear of the tiring home defence as he capped a superb run with the winning goal in the top- of-the-table clash.
It was the first time Bayern took the lead having fallen behind after 65 seconds at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena.
Bayern’s last-gasp victory leaves them 13- points clear of secondplaced Leipzig in the table with one game left.
“In the first half, it just went back and forwards,” said Lahm, who will lift the Bundesliga trophy next Saturday for the eighth time in his career before retiring.
“For the spectators it was certainly a nice game to watch - but not for us.
“We’re used to playing very structured footbal l, plenty of possession, compact and aggressive defending.
“But you could see from the back that we wanted to turn the game.
“Nevertheless, Leipzig showed they deserve to be up where they are.
“As for us, you could see our heads were already in the summer break.”
With both clubs having already qualified directly for next season’s Champions League, Bayern’s coach Carlo Ancelotti says RB Leipzig have proved they have a big future after an impressive first Bundesliga season.
“It was a crazy game and as expected, it was very open,” said Ancelotti.
“Both teams have achieved their goals in the Bundesliga. Leipzig started strongly, but we were better in the end.
“Leipzig were a fantast ic opponent this season and played surprisingly well.
“For them, this is only the start of a great period.
“They have young players, who are very motivated and playing in the Champions League next season will be a great experience.”
It was heartbreak for Leipzig, who were minutes from avenging their 3- 0 defeat at Bayern’s Allianz Arena last December.
“Congratulations Bayern for this mad victory and congrats to those who were in the stadium to witness it,” said Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhuettl.
“We didn’t win any points today, but won a few hearts and some sympathy.
“We looked like being the winners for a long time against the best team in Germany.
“It wasn’t enough, however, to just play well for the first 75 minutes, you have to take the last decisive step.”
In the race to be the league’s top- scorer, Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski also scored twice to leave him on 30 goals, one more than nearest rival, Dortmund’s Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang, with a game left.
The f irst goal came af ter just 65 seconds when Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer headed home, but Lewandowski drilled home a penalty on 16 minutes.
Leipzig restored their lead when Xabi Alonso fouled playmaker Emil Forsberg and Werner netted from the spot to make it 2-1 at the break.
Danish striker Yussuf Poulsen netted Leipzig’s third on 47 minutes when his shot wrongfooted Bayern’s third- choice goalkeeper Tom Starke after clipping Alonso’s boot.
Bayern stayed in touch with a Thiago Alcantara header on 60 minutes, before Werner grabbed his second five minutes later after turning Germany defender Jerome Boateng.
When Robben hit the crossbar with a free- kick on 84 minutes, Lewandowski headed home the rebound, cutting their deficit to one goal again and setting the scene for the dramatic finale.
Questions wil l be asked of Bayern’s defence, which shipped four goals for the first time since losing 4-1 at Wolfsburg in January 2015. — AFP