Insights after Leverkusen: This Bayern development is often overlooked | OneFootball

FC Bayern win 2-0 at Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals of the DFB Cup. FCBinside provides three insights into the match

Bayern secured their place in the cup final with victory at the Werkself. The game provided the following insights

1. This Bayern development is often overlooked

In Leverkusen, Bayern’s attack worked its magic once again – without exception. Michael Olise was impossible to control, Luis Diaz wore down the Bayer defense and scored, Jamal Musiala set up Harry Kane for the 1-0 and the England striker not only scored, but also played numerous long magic passes in the build-up

It’s hard to see an attacking game as good as Bayern’s in international soccer at the moment. Munich’s attack has been running like clockwork since the start of the season, and the 109 goals they have scored in the Bundesliga alone don’t come from nowhere

However, another outstanding development at Bayern under coach Vincent Kompany is often overlooked alongside the offensive spectacle: the former top defender has brought the FCB defense up to scratch in an impressive manner

In his first season at Bayern and before that under Thomas Tuchel, the defense was often shaky and one of the main problems

bayern’s performance in Leverkusen was exemplary of the great defensive performance in the season so far. In central defense, Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah are extremely strong in tackles and nothing can rattle them. The signing of Tah has given Bayern an extra dose of consistency in the center of defense – something that sporting director Max Eberl explicitly raved about after the game

The full-backs take on a complex task in Kompany’s system and are challenged both defensively and offensively

Josip Stanisic on the right and Konrad Laimer on the left did just that again in Leverkusen. Bayern’s defence is currently setting standards with its mix of man-to-man defending, high pressing and always offensive thinking

The stars in attack are responsible for the spectacular goals and constantly setting new records – but Bayern’s defense has played a huge part in their current success

2. Neuer back in GOAT mode

Part of the Bayern defence is, of course, Manuel Neuer in goal. The 40-year-old has often fluctuated between top performances and occasional slip-ups this season. His blunder in the second leg against Real Madrid, for example, briefly left Bayern fans in despair

But in Leverkusen, Neuer switched back into GOAT mode, because games like this are extremely complicated even for the greatest of all time. In the first half, Neuer had nothing to hold on to at all. But in the 52nd minute, he was called upon and saved Bayern’s lead. Neuer made a brilliant save to keep out a well-placed shot from Nathan Tella and then celebrated like a goalscorer. And rightly so! Even if the Leverkusen equaliser had been completely undeserved, the game could have tipped over

photo: IMAGO

Neuer said afterwards about his save with a view to Leverkusen goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who thwarted several Bayern chances: „My opponent made a great save today. That was also an incentive for me to keep this one important ball.“

Neuer, who is still not sure whether he will stay at Bayern for another year, looked back: „That’s a Bayern moment from earlier times, when I often didn’t get much to do and had to be there once – that was the case again today.“

3. The full focus is now on Paris

Kompany himself and Bayern under Kompany always emphasize mantra-like that the next game is the most important and the focus is only on that

In the Bundesliga, the away game at Mainz 05 awaits on Saturday. For the champions Bayern, nothing is at stake in this duel. Kompany still tried not to talk about the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain after the game in Leverkusen, but his „the next game is the most important“ sounded a little half-hearted for the first time

Of course, the focus is now only on Paris. The championship has already been clinched and, with the win in Leverkusen, there are now only three or four crucial games left – depending on the outcome: the cup final in Berlin, the two semi-finals against PSG and, if successful, the Champions League final in Budapest

Bayern are on course for the treble and still look unstoppable. That was underlined by the dominant performance in the BayArena. This team can go down in history. There are not many more steps to go before that happens.