Tactical Analysis: Bayern Munich 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen

The Bundesliga returned on Friday after the September international break, with defending champions Bayern Munich hosting Xabi Alonso's upstart Bayer Leverkusen side. Whilst Bayern had lost to RB Leipzig in the DFL-SuperCup, both teams had won every match in the Bundesliga, with Leverkusen leading Bayern on goal differential by just one goal. Bayern knew they needed a win in order to take control of the league, and it looked like they were going to pick up a routine victory early on with Leroy Sané delivering an in-swinger from a corner kick and Harry Kane opening the scoring within seven minutes.

With Kim Min-jae, Leon Goretzka and Dayot Upamecano making a run towards the near post, Kane was free to attack the far post behind Granit Xhaka and break the deadlock. Leverkusen defended with four players zonally, 5 in the second line ready to track runners, and Bayern looked to exploit this mixed approach with Serge Gnabry and Thomas Müller occupying the near post initially. Xhaka's flat body positioning lets him down, as he is unable to track Kane and struggles to turn and see both the flight of the ball and Kane's movement, enabling Bayern to grab an early lead.

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