Football singularity-Chapter 739 Bayern (3)
#More than 10 chapters ahead on my Patreon: patreon.com/TrikoRexIf.
If you have a moment, leaving a review would mean a lot to me and helps me see who's interested in the story's future.
~~~
[2021-04-20 | Allianz Arena, Munich | 19:42 CET]
[Bundesliga MW 30: FC Bayern Munich vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen]
"That's First-class goalkeeping," Robson said. "Hradecky makes himself big, doesn't dive too early, and gets a crucial touch. Leverkusen owe him one there." The corner was delivered by Kimmich, curling toward the back post. Lewandowski rose highest, getting a head to it, but his header sailed just over the bar.
[12']
In the 12th, Leverkusen launched another counter, starting with Hradecky's goal kick short to Tapsoba. The defender turned and carried the ball up for a couple of yards before finding Demirbay in midfield. The German midfielder took one touch, then drilled a pass down the left flank into Rakim's feet.
The teenager controlled it with his back to the goal, holding up Pavard, who was immediately on him. He didn't try to turn; instead, he backheeled it through the fullback's open legs, finding the overlapping Wendell. The Barzillina stretched out his foot, dragging the ball forward, and exploded after it.
He pierced into the final third, taking a long touch as Goretzka slid in trying to make a stop. He vaulted over him, stumbling slightly before chasing after the ball, reaching it before any red shirt could close him down. He sent an arching cross into the box with his first touch, sending it curving at pace.
Schick attacked it, but Alaba got there first, sliding forward to clear it desperately. The ball bounced awkwardly to the right side of the six-yard box. Neuer reacted quickly, jumping up to chest the ball down, booting it long with his second touch. Neuer's clearance sailed high and long, arcing toward the halfway line where Lewandowski had already begun his run.
As if a switch had been flipped, the Home side surged forward, looking to launch a counter. Tah tracked him closely, shoulder-to-shoulder, as both jumped for the header. The Polish striker won it, nodding it down to Coman on the left.
The French winger took one touch, then accelerated down the flank, his pace giving him a slight edge on Frimpong. The full back remained close as they drove toward the box. Coman tried to create some separation by feigning wide before nudging the ball back as he came to a sudden stop.
It worked as the Dutch fullback went beyond him, giving him space to cut inside at the edge of the box. Tapsoba slid across to cover, but Coman had already shaped to shoot. His shot was low and hard, curling toward the near post, trying to slot it into the bottom corner, kicking up some damp grass.
Hardecky between the sticks saw it all the way, and his positioning was perfect, diving to his right, arms fully outstretched. He got his body behind it, smothering the ball against his chest, killing the attack.
[25]
Leverkusen won the ball back in midfield when Baumgartlinger intercepted a loose pass from Müller. The Austrian immediately played it wide to Diaby on the right. The French winger took one touch, then exploded down the flank, forcing Davies into a foot race.
The two speedsters streaked down the flank, bumping shoulders, almost running past the byline. The Frenchman cut the ball back sharply to the edge of the six-yard box before the Canadian could interfere. Schick attacked it, but Boateng turned, striking it powerfully as he fell backwards. The ball sailed clear, leaving the striker unable to connect, but it wasn't over as the ball fell to Amiri at the top of the box.
The midfielder touched it down with his thigh, then struck it on the half-volley with his left foot. Kimmich threw himself in front of the ball but only managed to scuff the underside of the ball. The ball made a drastic angle adjustment, flying sharply toward the top-right corner. Neuer, who had launched himself across his goal, tried to get a hand to it, but couldn't reach it.
"(Bang), Off the bar!" Derek exclaimed. "Amiri thought he had it!"
"This is exciting attacking football," Robson said, his voice rising with excitement. "Both sides are thoroughly battling it out."
[27']
The corner was delivered by Demirbay, curling it toward the near post. Tah rose highest, but Boateng's body blocked his header. The ball deflected back to Rakim at the edge of the box.
Without thinking, he struck it on the volley with his right foot on pure instinct and technique. The ball flew like a missile toward the left side of the goal, but Pavard blocked it with a foot before it could enter the box. Lewandowski tried to track back for the rebound, but Wendell got there first, taking the ball wide, launching a cross into the box.
The ball sailed high into the box as another scramble ensued, but it was for nought as Neuer jumped into the sky. He firmly grasped the ball with both hands, commanding it, and clamped it in his hold.
"OH MY!" Derek's voice cracked with emotion. "Rakim gets denied, and Wendell's cross gets cherry-picked from the sky!"
"Oh, so close to the opener," Robson said, shaking his head. "With how things are going, it's a matter of time before one of these two sides scores."
[34']
Joshua Kimmich is probably the most highly rated German player of the past decade. Unlike wonderkids who made their debut young, he only got better, becoming a coach's dream with his versatility. He has lived up to all the expectations, filling trophy cabinets and putting fear into teams all around the world.
His football brain was simply sublime, from a defensive shot-stopper to a field general, like a deep playmaker. In the 35th minute, Joshua sprang into action, reminding the visitors just why he was so highly rated. Amiri dribbled through the middle, skipping past Müller, who tracked back, trying to veer away from him.
Kimmich reacted quickly, tracking back at an angle as the Leverkusen playmaker tried to feint at him. It didn't work, and the Muchich man came sliding in sharply, cleanly sweeping away the ball, and then the man. The referee's whistle stayed down as Kimmich sprang up immediately, bringing the ball under control and driving forward.
Demirbay tried to interfere as he crossed the halfway line, but the Bayern man exchanged a short one-two with Muller, completely bypassing him. As he received the ball, he looked up once, then sent a ball slicing diagonally toward the left flank. Coman, who was tightly guarded by Frimpong, pushed off the brakes into the area between Tapsoba and the Dutch full-back.
Latching onto the gliding ball, he exploded forward at pace as the line's man's flag remained down. Tapsoba tried to close him down, but the difference in speed allowed the winger to stay clear as he pierced into the box. Hradecky charged out to close him down, but the winger veered wider, forcing him to adjust hurriedly.
As if waiting for that, Kingsley squared the ball to the centre, finding Robert Lewandowski, who flashed in front of Tah. Before the German defender could defend, the Polish striker slotted the ball into the empty net. "ROOOOOOOOOOOBERT LEEEWanDOWski!" Derek Rae exclaimed, jumping up from his chair just as the home fans exploded onto their feet. "What a team goal from start to finish."
"They looked unsteeled from the start, but one moment of brilliance and the class shone through," Robson added, equally animated. "You can lead in all statistics, but in the end, only one matters, the score sheet."
[Bayern 1 vs 0 Leverkusen— Robert Lewandowski 35']
.
.
.
.
TO BE CONTINUED...
