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Bayern Munich ended 2024 on a high with a resounding 5-1 victory over RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena late Friday night.
After a disappointing 2-1 loss to Mainz last weekend, Bayern bounced back in style, welcoming back Alphonso Davies and Harry Kane from injury. Leon Goretzka also returned to the starting lineup, replacing Aleksandar Pavlovic in central midfield.
The hosts made a dream start, scoring with their first attack in the first minute as Jamal Musiala slotted home Michael Olise’s pass in the opening minutes.
However, Leipzig quickly equalized through Benjamin Sesko’s finish from Lois Openda’s cross just a minute later.
Undeterred, Bayern regained control and retook the lead in the 25th minute when Olise set up Konrad Laimer. Joshua Kimmich’s stunning long-range strike in the 36th minute made it 3-1 at halftime.
In the second half, Bayern continued to dominate, with Musiala and Kane both coming close to scoring. Peter Gulacsi was forced to make a superb one-handed save to deny Musiala shortly after the break, while Kane was denied by another fine save from Gulacsi in the 67th minute.
Leipzig’s rare threats were comfortably dealt with by the Bayern defense, although Antonio Nusa did shoot wide in the 63rd minute after Openda’s initial effort had been blocked.
The hosts eventually added two more goals, with Leroy Sané slotting home Alphonso Davies’ fine pass in the 75th minute, and Davies himself heading in Kimmich’s cross to make it 5-1 in the 78th minute.
The victory takes Bayern to 36 points, seven clear of Bayer Leverkusen, who host Freiburg on Saturday. RB Leipzig remains fourth on the league table till resumption by the turn of the year.
