The title aspirations of leaders Bayern Munich are in jeopardy going into the last day of play after a shocking 3-1 home loss to RB Leipzig on Saturday. Rivals Borussia Dortmund now have a chance to pass them on Sunday.
Serge Gnabry gave the Bavarians the lead, but they mysteriously let up and gave up three goals in the second half to Konrad Laimer and penalties from Christopher Nkunku and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Following the hiring of coach Thomas Tuchel in late March, Bayern remain in first place with 68 points, having eliminated themselves from both the German Cup and the Champions League in the quarterfinal stages.
With 67 points, Dortmund plays Augsburg on Sunday, and a victory would put the Ruhr valley club in the lead heading into next week’s season finale.
Leipzig would finish third and qualify for the Champions League the following year thanks to their first-ever victory in Munich. Next week, Bayern will visit Cologne, while Dortmund will host Mainz.
The Bavarians were in perfect control early on and in-form Gnabry rifled in off the post in the 25th minute for his fifth goal in the previous four games. The Bavarians are vying for a record-extending 11th successive league title.
However, they almost immediately fell into a state of complacency, giving Leipzig too much room and allowing them to have a number of opportunities, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer making three excellent saves.
In the 65th minute, Laimer, who is anticipated to join Bayern for the upcoming season, blasted in the equalizer to make up for their tardiness.
After Nkunku was hauled down in the box, the France international stepped up to beat Sommer from the penalty spot and quiet the Bayern supporters, completing Leipzig’s comeback in the 76th minute.
Szoboszlai’s second penalty for a handball in the 85th minute secured the three points for the visitors and put an end to Tuchel’s team’s miserable afternoon.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login