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[47]
Bayern immediately picked up where they left off, probing for weaknesses with patient possession. Kimmich collected the ball from Neuer's goal kick and sprayed it wide to Davies, who had already overlapped with Gnabry on the down the left flank. The Canadian's pace was electric, as he surged past Amiri with a burst of acceleration that left the Leverkusen wing-back scrambling to recover.
Davies cut inside slightly at the final third, drawing Dragović toward him before slipping a precise through ball into the path of Coman on the other side of the box. The French winger controlled it with his first touch and immediately looked up to assess his options. Lewandowski was making his run across the front of the penalty area, while Müller had cleverly drifted into the pocket at the top of the box.
Coman opted for the cross, whipping a dangerous ball toward the penalty spot where Lewandowski and Tapsoba were locked in physical combat. The young defender managed to get his head to it first, nodding the ball back toward Bender, but his clearance was weak and fell straight to Goretzka on the edge of the box.
The German midfielder didn't hesitate, striking the ball on the volley with his right foot. The shot was heading for the bottom corner when Hrádecký threw himself across his goal line, getting a strong hand behind the ball to palm it away for a corner kick.
"Another excellent save from Hrádecký!" Derek Rae exclaimed. "That's twice now the Finnish goalkeeper has denied Bayern from outside the box."
Robson's analysis was immediate: "But look at the pattern developing here, Derek. Bayern are getting these second chances because Leverkusen is not being clinical enough. They're living dangerously."
[51]
The corner that followed was swung in deep by Kimmich, curling menacingly toward the back post where Boateng had peeled away. The veteran centre-back muscled his way past Alario and rose to meet it, thundering a header back across goal. It looked all but in, but somehow Hrádecký was once again equal to it, springing to his right to claw the ball clear with both palms.
Bender hacked the rebound away, but the danger wasn't done. Gnabry retrieved the ball out in the right third, shaking his marker with a sharp cut inside before letting fly with a curling effort. This time it whistled just over the crossbar, grazing the roof of the net on its way out.
"Volume is the name of the game for Bayern," Rae said, voice filled with urgency. "They're coming wave after wave, and Leverkusen are only hanging on through their goalkeeper."
Robson added, "And the problem is, Derek, the midfield isn't closing down fast enough. Every second ball is falling to Bayern, and when that happens, you're under siege."
[55]
Leverkusen finally found a spark of respite. Aránguiz broke up play in the middle third, sticking a toe in to rob Goretzka before feeding Diaby out wide. The French winger galloped into space down the left channel, his acceleration forcing Pavard to retreat nervously. Diaby carried it into the attacking third before squaring for Bailey, who had drifted inside to support.
Bailey, seeing Neuer slightly off his line and the defensive line continuing to retreat, unleashed a low drive. The ball skidded dangerously on the surface, but Neuer dropped like lightning, smothering it at the second attempt.
"Better from the hosts," Rae encouraged. "Diaby stretching the play, Bailey testing Neuer—it's exactly what we expected to see from them."
Robson was quick to temper the optimism. "Yes, but look at how isolated Alario is. He's fighting two centre-backs on his own. Without support from midfield, he'll never get a clean look at goal."
[58]
Peter Bosz had seen enough. He gestured toward the bench, calling three players to the touchline. Moments later, the fourth official raised his board: [Substitutions – 58']
Off: Bellarabi, Amiri, Baumgartlinger
On: Rakim Rex, Florian Wirtz, Kerem Demirbay
The Camera caught the players exchanging elbow taps as they jogged onto the pitch. Rakim took the right winger position whilst Wirtz slotted in behind him in the right wingback role. Kerem Demirbay naturally slotted into the midfield, replacing Jullian, who had become too cautious following his booking.
Derek Rae's tone sharpened with excitement. "And here come the reinforcements. Rakim Rex, Florian Wirtz, and Kerem Demirbay—three players who can change the tempo, Stewart."
Robson nodded. "Logically, it's the right move, but whether these two youngsters can perform under such pressure is left to be seen. They need creativity, energy, and legs. But let's see how they cope defensively, because Bayern won't slow down for them."
[62]
[Rakim Pov]
Taking deep breaths as I watched the match unfold from the right wing, I started slow, analysing the flow of the game, trying to decide what I wanted to do. I knew I would get the ball sooner or later, but with Bayern's defensive setup, it wouldn't be easy to create something. "Hey kid, you good? Doesn't really matter if you're not, cause today we'll keep you quiet."
Ignoring Goretzka, two meters away from me, who had been yapping since the moment I took my position, I analysed how they were marking me. Davis sat back a couple of yards, holding their defensive line, while Gnabry and Goretzka kept close enough to react should I receive the ball. Closing my eyes for a moment, I jogged back the moment I saw Aranguiz move to the blind side of Müller.
His tackle came swiftly, bodying the German of the ball as he stole the ball in one swoop. His intervention sparked a ripple through our lines as we reacted to his movements. The wingbacks drifted inwards to offer passing options whilst I and Diaby moved wider to create an outlet.
Watching Wirtz subconciosly drag Gnabry with him, I raised my hand to call for the ball, and Aranguiz immediately locked onto me. As the ball sped towards me with my back to the touchline, I turned my head left and right, scanning my maker's reaction. The ball zipped into my feet, the thud against my boots echoing in my ears as the thud of nearby players moving to mark me.
My first touch was soft, angled slightly inward, just enough to draw Goretzka closer while Davis kept watching. Feinting a cut backwards as the midfielder approached, I nudged the ball down the line, past his outstretched leg. Hopping over him, I sped down the line, regaining control of the ball with a touch before Davis could get to it.
The pitch collapsed around me as I surged into Bayern's defensive third, the white shirts scrambling back into position. Davis pivoted sharply, recovering quickly, but I had bought myself enough yards. Alaba stepped across the moment I reached the side of the box, trying to box me in.
Only now did I realise why Davis wasn't pressing me too hard as they guided me to where they wanted me to go. Smiling at this, I clipped the ball with my right heel, slipping it past the trailing Davis, right into the run of Demirbay at the edge of the box. Demirbay didn't hesitate as he shaped his body for a first-time strike, sending a rasping effort skidding through the crowded box.
Neuer, caught momentarily unsighted by Boateng and Alario tussling in front of him, reacted late but still managed to fling out a strong right hand. The ball spilt loose in the six-yard area as Alario lunged first, moving Boateng out of the way, toeing the rebound past Neuer and into the roof of the net.
"GOAL FOR LEVERKUSEN!" Derek Rae's voice cracked with excitement. "Lucas Alario with the poacher's instinct, and the home side levels it."
Robson followed crisply: "And that all came from Rex drawing the attention of his markers. Demirbay's strike was clever, and Alario did what strikers are paid to do. That's a massive response from Bosz's men." Alario sprinted to the corner, pumping his fist in celebration, while his teammates mobbed him.
[Leverkusen 1–1 Bayern | Alario 64']
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To Be Continued...