Record champions Bayern München finish matchday 15 top of the Bundesliga. Carlo Ancelotti’s team fought hard for a 1-0 win against Darmstadt 98 to re-claim top spot from newly-promoted RB Leipzig. The result leaves the two sides level on 36 points each going into Wednesday evening’s top-of-the-table clash in Munich.
Brazilian winger Douglas Costa provided the matchwinner midway into the second half with a stunning effort from 25 meters. Darmstadt put on a brave performance and tested the Bayern goal on multiple occasions, forcing two saves from Manuel Neuer late on, but were unable to reward their efforts with a goal.
Without Arjen Robben, who was rested for the match against Leipzig, as well as the injured Jerome Boateng (shoulder operation) and Philipp Lahm, who withdrew from the starting XI during the warm-up, the reigning champions struggled for long spells to break through the resilient Darmstadt defence. Indeed it was the hosts who provided the most attacking impetus in the opening five minutes.
Darmstadt defended strong – Bayern lacked ideas
Bayern looked devoid of ideas going forward during the first half. Robben’s replacement Costa took position on the left wing, while Thomas Müller struggled to make an impact from the right. Robert Lewandowski, meanwhile, was kept quiet by a strong Darmstadt defence.
The intensity increased in the second half, but the favourites produced very few clear-cut chances. In the end, it took a long-range effort into the top corner from Costa to settle what was a very tight affair.
Record champions Bayern München finish matchday 15 top of the Bundesliga. Carlo Ancelotti’s team fought hard for a 1-0 win against Darmstadt 98 to re-claim top spot from newly-promoted RB Leipzig. The result leaves the two sides level on 36 points each going into Wednesday evening’s top-of-the-table clash in Munich.
Brazilian winger Douglas Costa provided the matchwinner midway into the second half with a stunning effort from 25 meters. Darmstadt put on a brave performance and tested the Bayern goal on multiple occasions, forcing two saves from Manuel Neuer late on, but were unable to reward their efforts with a goal.
Without Arjen Robben, who was rested for the match against Leipzig, as well as the injured Jerome Boateng (shoulder operation) and Philipp Lahm, who withdrew from the starting XI during the warm-up, the reigning champions struggled for long spells to break through the resilient Darmstadt defence. Indeed it was the hosts who provided the most attacking impetus in the opening five minutes.
Darmstadt defended strong – Bayern lacked ideas
Bayern looked devoid of ideas going forward during the first half. Robben’s replacement Costa took position on the left wing, while Thomas Müller struggled to make an impact from the right. Robert Lewandowski, meanwhile, was kept quiet by a strong Darmstadt defence.
The intensity increased in the second half, but the favourites produced very few clear-cut chances. In the end, it took a long-range effort into the top corner from Costa to settle what was a very tight affair.
