FC Bayern cruised to a 3–0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday evening, extending their European record to 15 consecutive wins at the start of the season. Goals from Serge Gnabry and Nicolas Jackson, along with an own goal from Loïc Badé, gave Bayern a commanding lead by half-time. With no further goals after the break, the champions comfortably collected another three points.
Vincent Kompany made seven changes from the side that defeated Köln in the DFB Cup midweek. Manuel Neuer returned in goal, protected by a back four of Konrad Laimer, Jonathan Tah, Minjae Kim, and Tom Bischof. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored the midfield behind Lennart Karl, Raphaël Guerreiro, and Gnabry, with Jackson leading the line. In the second half, Michael Olise, Luis Díaz, Harry Kane, Sacha Boey, and Aleksandar Pavlović came on for Karl, Gnabry, Jackson, Laimer, and Guerreiro.
Bayern dominate the first half
The tone of the match was set early, with Bayern dictating play while Leverkusen looked to hit on the counter. Karl fired narrowly wide, Goretzka sent a header off target, and Laimer tested goalkeeper Mark Flekken before Munich broke the deadlock. Bischof’s incisive through ball released Gnabry, who coolly finished to celebrate his 250th Bundesliga appearance with his 95th career goal.
Moments later, Bayern doubled their advantage as Laimer delivered a precise cross for Jackson to nod home unmarked. The Senegalese striker thought he had his second soon after when he tucked in from Gnabry’s pass, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Karl went close again before Bayern added a third, with Badé inadvertently turning Guerreiro’s cross into his own net.
Controlling the tempo after the break
The intensity eased after the interval, but Bayern continued to look sharper and more composed than their opponents. Jackson and Guerreiro both spurned chances, while Olise saw a couple of efforts blocked following his introduction.
Boey’s shot was deflected behind, and Kane had an attempt charged down as the game drifted to a close — Bayern firmly in control and fully deserving of their ninth straight Bundesliga win.
The result moves Bayern to 27 points, extending their lead at the top to five over RB Leipzig. The Bavarians return to action on Tuesday, when they travel to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
