Bayern Munich win as Leverkusen miss host of early chances

Bayern Munich extended their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to 14 games with a 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Franck Ribery's 100th goal for the Bavarians ensured that all three points remained in Munich, with the Frenchman volleying home a splendid finish following a knockdown in the box by Robert Lewandowski in the second half.

Rodger Schmidt's side had their chances however, especially in the first half - yet Leverkusen failed to convert their opportunities and ultimately paid the price as Pep Guardiola’s team eventually grew to take over and dominate the game in front of their home fans.

An early mistake by Jermone Boatang three minutes into the match was the visitors' best opportunity, with Leverkusen’s intense early pressing causing the centre-back to give away possession near his own goal.

Newly-capped Germany international Karim Bellarabi was then unleashed to race into Bayern’s area, only for his shot to be cleared off the line.

Manuel Neuer kept himself busy throughout the game too with another wide-ranging performance that saw him leave his box on a number of occasions to close down potential dangers as he looked to provide yet more evidence to back up his Ballon d’Or nomination.

The result leaves Leverkusen in fourth, now six points behind Wolfsburg after their away win against Hannover 96. Meanwhile, Bayern remain seven points better off than the Bundesliga’s other big name factory team and look formidable at the top of the table.

3' – CHANCE: Leverkusen’s aggressive start almost grants them an opening goal. Bellarabi runs on against Neurer after Boateng is caught in possession by the high press. His mistake isn’t punished however as the eventual shot is cleared off the line.

36' – INJURY: Stefan Kiessling is down after over-stretching for the ball. He looks seriously concerned as he clasps his knee-cap. The physios arrive to manipulate his left leg but he doesn't look happy at all.

45’ – FOUL: Even if he is struggling to run or jump, Kiessling is still trying to make it work for Leverkusen. The injured striker refuses to jump for a ball and is instead barged into by Boatang, who is then judged to have fouled the striker. A canny bit of forward play there by the injured German who is now also holding his back.

46’ – SUBSTITUTION: The action gets back underway with a substitution. Mario Gotze comes off for Sebastian Rode, with Guardiola clearly wanting more of a box-to-box presence to catch out the high-pressing of Leverkusen. The former Dortmund attacking midfielder has looked completely marginalised by the visitor’s intensity.

50' – GOAL: Francky Ribery bags his 100th goal for Bayern with a wonderfully taken volley after a Lewandowski knockdown, fed by an Arjen Robben cross.

83' – CHANCE: Robben bursts forward once again. He's become Bayern’s dynamo in the closing stages with Leverkusen's early pressing now counting against them. Their legs seem too tired for them to keep up with the Dutchman’s constant sprints as the clock ticks down.

Bayer Leverkusen’s aggressive game plan almost won them an advantage on the break against Guardiola’s possession-hungry champions, and the intensity of their approach can be seen in the fouling stats.

While Bayern made 11 fouls, the visitors fouled their hosts on 26 occasions, picking up three yellow cards for their troubles. Their desire to snatch possession and burst forward also saw Leverkusen’s players ruled offside four times, even if they only managed one shot on goal all match.

Are Leverkusen adequate replacement rivals for Bayern in place of Dortmund? There are just enough broad similarities between Dortmund and Leverkusen to make comparisons somewhat valid this year: an exciting, tactically astute manager; an aggressive, attacking play style based on pressing; and their larger pot of resources with which to try and take on Bayern at the top of the table. However, while there may be a cursory likeness between the two Rhine-Westphalia clubs, there’s no question that Leverkusen must do more to add any substance to the potential parallels. Bayern may arguably be stronger than ever, but Leverkusen’s tactics weren’t as disruptive to their hosts as Dortmund’s way of playing has been in the recent past - bar the opening few minutes.

Arjen Robben (Bayern): Like his team, the Dutchman’s influence over the match grew as the game went on. In the closing stages, his pace and movement on the break opened up the visitors and their tired legs on a number of occasions. Prior to the final phases, he combined well with his cohorts in midfield and attack to surround Leverkusen in their own half and dominate possession of the ball.

Bayern Munich: Neuer 7; Bernat 6, Boatang 6, Benatia 7, Rafinha 7; Alonso 6, Ribery 7, Robben 8, Gotze 5; Lewandowski 7, Muller 7. Subs: Rode 7, Schweinsteiger 6, Hojbjerg 6.

Bayer Leverkusen: Leno 7; Wendell 7, Spahic 7, Toprak 7, Jedvaj 6; Castro 6, Bender 6; Son 7, Calhanoglu 6, Bellarabi 7; Kiessling 7. Subs: Rolfes 6, Drmic 6, Kruse 6.