Bayern Munich demonstrated their dominance with a commanding 5:1 victory against RB Leipzig, solidifying their lead at the top of the Bundesliga table just before the holiday break. This decisive win came as Bayern sought redemption after their recent 1:2 defeat against Mainz.
The match kicked off with excitement as Bayern opened the scoring just 28 seconds after the whistle, with Jamal Musiala netting the first goal. Leipzig quickly responded, equalizing within two minutes when Benjamin Sesko struck, marking one of the fastest 1-1 starts seen in Bundesliga history.
Even with the early setback, Bayern quickly regained control. Konrad Laimer, who had just celebrated the birth of his child earlier this week, restored Bayern's lead at the 25-minute mark. The standout moment came when Joshua Kimmich, who was acting as captain due to the absence of Manuel Neuer, fired a stunning shot from 20 yards, showcasing his intention to secure his future with the club amid contract negotiations, stating, "I believe it’s good to see the big picture this winter and look at what happened. More important to me, though, is the future." Kimmich's performance, which earned him high praise from fans and analysts alike, only added to his value as the club's key player.
Further extending their lead, Leroy Sané scored Bayern’s fourth goal, and Alphonso Davies capped off the scoring with the fifth before the final whistle blew.
While Bayern Munich celebrated their pivotal win, the scene turned somber as RB Leipzig faced severe injury concerns after the match. The alarming moment occurred just before the closing seconds, when defender Benjamin Henrichs was injured without any contact from opponents. The 27-year-old national team player collapsed to the pitch, prompting immediate medical attention.
Following the match, Henrichs was transported to a Munich hospital where he reportedly faced the possibility of an Achilles tendon rupture. This injury adds to Leipzig’s growing list of woes, particularly with other key players sidelined; Xavi Simons and David Raum have been recovering from serious injuries, with Raum just returning from surgery.
The emotional toll was visible among the Leipzig players, who gathered around Henrichs on the field, visibly shaken by the incident. About the moment, Laimer shared after the match, "It’s been really difficult for us recently with injuries, and seeing Benjamin go down like this just adds to our struggles."
Aside from the injury, tensions during the post-game period also flared when some RB players were seen running about on the pitch, prompting interruptions from the Bayern team and the match's officials. Leipzig’s management later stated,"Our players and strength trainers were unaware of the tragic event at the Christmas market, and we didn’t know about the adjusted schedule for Bayern’s holiday show." This had led to some discontent within the crowd, who were affected by the recent tragedy.
Reacting to the post-match disturbances, Leipzig head coach Marco Rose remarked, "I’m sure the players weren't informed of the unfortunate events surrounding the holiday celebrations. If they’d known, I'm positive they wouldn't have continued their warm-up routines." The sentiments expressed by Rose reflect the general mood of the RB Leipzig camp, which has weathered tough circumstances this season.
While Bayern Munich prepares for the winter break with renewed confidence, RB Leipzig finds themselves at yet another crossroads, dealing with multiple injuries and assessing how to rally their team for the upcoming fixtures. With the Bundesliga season underway and mid-season transfer windows approaching, solutions will be required to address Leipzig's pressing concerns and maintain their competitive stance.
