Bayern Munich 1-3 RB Leipzig: Nkunku and Szoboszlai penalties hand Dortmund title initiative

·3 min read
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Bayern Munich relinquished control of the Bundesliga title race as they collapsed to a 3-1 defeat to RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena.

The reigning champions had their destiny in their own hands when Serge Gnabry fired them ahead on Saturday, but a terrific counter-attack saw Konrad Laimer level things up in the second half.

A pair of late penalties then stunned Bayern, Christopher Nkunku converting after being tripped by Benjamin Pavard and Dominik Szoboszlai doing likewise following Noussair Mazraoui's handball.

Bayern now need Borussia Dortmund to slip up in one of their remaining games – at Augsburg on Sunday and against Mainz next Saturday – to have any chance of claiming an 11th consecutive title.

Bayern started brightly and created the first chance 17 minutes in, with Thomas Muller seeing his effort smothered by Janis Blaswich.

The hosts' dominance paid off when Gnabry put them ahead eight minutes later, darting into the area before seeing his powerful shot spin off the foot of the left-hand post and in.

Yann Sommer then made crucial saves to deny Szoboszlai and Nkunku, but Bayern should have gone 2-0 up before half-time, only for the unmarked Kingsley Coman to head wide.

A lightning break from Leipzig changed the game after 64 minutes, with Laimer – who is expected to join Bayern next season – racing clear to trade passes with Nkunku and hammer home.

Matters got much worse for Bayern 11 minutes later, as Pavard's trip on Nkunku allowed Leipzig's star forward to convert from the spot.

But their punishment was not done there, Szoboszlai finding the bottom-left corner from 12 yards after Mazraoui handled from a corner, sparking wild celebrations in the away end – and in Dortmund.

What does it mean? Dortmund handed golden opportunity  

Bayern looked to be handling the pressure of the title race in exemplary fashion, winning three consecutive games ahead of Saturday's contest after turning a corner under Thomas Tuchel.

However, many onlookers had suggested Leipzig could provide a twist, and they did precisely that in a remarkable second half.

Leipzig have never been the most popular club with their Bundesliga rivals, but Dortmund will certainly be thankful for their fightback here.

Nkunku makes a statement

Nkunku, who seems set to join Chelsea, hit 20 league goals during the 2021-22 campaign, but a series of injuries have hampered his ability to make a similar impact this term.

He shook off those frustrations at the Allianz Arena, however, leading his team-mates for shots (four), shots on target (three) and converting his penalty with aplomb to seal a top-four finish for Leipzig.

Laimer tees up fightback

Leipzig's equaliser – the product of a rapid break from a Bayern corner – came as a dagger to the hearts of the hosts, with Laimer finishing brilliantly after leading the charge up the pitch.

Laimer has scored two Bundesliga goals against Bayern, a tally he has only matched against Dortmund.

Should BVB go on to claim the title, it remains to be seen what kind of reception Laimer will get if he completes his move to Bayern ahead of next season.

What's next?

Bayern visit Koln for their final game of the season next Saturday, by which time Dortmund may have moved two points clear at the summit.

Leipzig, meanwhile, are assured of Champions League qualification ahead of their meeting with Schalke.