MUNICH: Bayern Munich stamped their authority over the Bundesliga in commanding style by hammering fourth-placed RB Leipzig 5-1 on Friday to extend their lead at the top on a sombre night in Germany following a deadly car attack at a Christmas market in the eastern city of Magdeburg.

Having lost their first league match of the season to Mainz last week, Bayern delivered a command performance against a Leipzig side who struggled to build any attacking momentum in a game that featured two goals in the opening two minutes for the first time in the league’s history.

Bayern top the standings on 36 points, seven clear of Bayer Leverkusen. Eintracht Frankfurt are third on 27, ahead of Leipzig on goal difference.

It is the 26th time Bayern have topped the table at Christmas, having won the title in 23 of the 25 previous occasions they did so.

However, there was little mood for celebration after at least two people were killed and more than 60 injured when a vehicle barrelled through a crowd of revellers in Magdeburg at high speed, leaving a trail of bloody carnage.

“It’s almost impossible to talk about football, the people of Magdeburg are in our thoughts tonight,” said Bayern coach Vincent Kompany in a press conference reduced to a short statement. “We won tonight, but I wish victories for peace next year.”

The small ceremony that the Munich club traditionally offers its supporters before Christmas was cut short, reduced to a rendition of “Stille Nacht” ( “Silent Night “), due to the events in Magdeburg.

A minute’s silence was also observed in the Allianz Arena.

“I’ve heard the news from Magdeburg, it makes all things appear in a different light,” RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose said. “Yes, we played football. Yes, we lost clearly and deservedly. Benjamin Henrichs may have a serious ankle injury, but a few other things happened today that aren’t nice.”

The game had a remarkable start when Harry Kanes neat backheel sent Michael Olise clear and he crossed for red-hot Jamal Musiala to tuck in after 28 seconds.

Leipzig hit back almost immediately as Lois Openda escaped down the right and his cross was swept home by Benjamin Sesco the first time in Bundesliga history that two goals have been scored in the first two minutes.

Both teams took a breather after an intense opening, but it wasn’t long before Bayern were back in front.

Konrad Laimer exchanged passed with the dangerous Olise, and the Austrian volleyed expertly past Peter Gulacsi in the Leipzig goal in the 25th minute.

Joshua Kimmich smashed home a trademark long-range shot after 36 minutes to give the hosts a deserved 3-1 halftime lead, as Leipzig failed to muster another effort on goal.

Leipzig, who have won twice their last three visits to the Allianz Arena, steadied the ship a little after the break but Bayern were in no mood to compromise and continued to produce some of their best football of the season.

They extended their lead in the 75th minute through Leroy Sane, who just managed to stay on side as he collected Alphonso Davies’ through pass, rolling the ball into the bottom corner.

Bayern were hungry for more though. Kimmich, a thorn in Leipzig’s side all night, found space on the right and whipped a cross in for Davies, who connected to score a rare headed goal and bring up Bayern’s fifth of the night.

A miserable night for Leipzig was completed when Henrichs suffered a serious-looking injury in the final minute, collapsing to the turf away from play, and looked in real distress as he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.

“We played a very good game,” said Kimmich. “We had a great start and despite the quick equaliser, everyone saw that we were determined to win today. The players felt that the Mainz game was our worst performance. Things were completely different today.”

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2024