Second-half blitz at Leipzig keeps Bayern 11 clear
Bayern Munich powered back from a goal down, scoring three goals in six minutes, to crush host RB Leipzig 5-1 in the Bundesliga and protect an 11-point advantage at the top.
The visitors, who also saw Jamal Musiala make a comeback as a substitute after his recovery from a broken leg and ankle last July, scored all five goals in the second half to maintain their unbeaten run in the league this season and moved up to 50 points, taking their goal tally to 71.
Borussia Dortmund is in second place on 39 points after a last-gasp 3-2 win over St Pauli earlier in the day, while Leipzig dropped to fourth with 32 points.
"Leipzig caused us many problems in the first half," Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said. "They were clearly the better side. It felt like they were twice as good as we were.
"But the second half, the lads delivered. We ran six kilometers more. It was old-school mentality. Winning one-on-ones, running, going forward. We weren't afraid and really went for it."
The hosts shot out of the blocks and had two early chances through Romulo and Antonio Nusa before the former made amends for his early miss, tapping in for the lead in the 20th minute.
Leipzig came close several more times in a strong first half but the visitors hit back five minutes after the restart when Serge Gnabry fired in his 100th goal for the club.
Bayern completed its turnaround with the Bundesliga's leading scorer Harry Kane finding enough space at the far post to put it in front with his 21st league goal and Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer did well in the 72nd to deny Yan Diomande, palming his shot wide.
The Bavarian side, however, was far from done, and it scored three more times late in the game, with Jonathan Tah's 82nd-minute header and goals from Aleksandar Pavlovic in the 85th and Michael Olise three minutes later to complete their comeback win in style.
Neuer hailed hat he called “unbelievable” desire and motivation after his own outstanding performance.
“We’ve often been behind this season but have always come back, and we vowed to do that again today at half-time,” the goalkeeper said.
“We certainly played better in the second half.
“Leipzig have had a game less than us, and we ran six kilometres more in the second half, which says something about the desire and motivation that were there to turn the game around and then also score the third, fourth, fifth goal. It’s unbelievable.”
Musiala marked his return by assisting Olise just 69 seconds after coming off the bench, much to the delight of his team-mates.
Neuer said of the midfielder: “It’s so great. I know what’s behind it all when you’ve had a long injury, especially mentally. We’re all delighted.
Aleksandar Pavlovic added: “We’re so incredibly pleased Jamal’s back. We’ve seen every day how hard he’s worked, how he’s battled to get back quickly.
“He’s a world-class player. We’re happy he’s back now and that we can play with him again.”
