Sports

Bayern crush Leipzig 6-1 to live up to coach Kompany's prediction

Bayern Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring their fourth goal
 
Bayern Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring their fourth goal

 
 Bayern Munich obliterated RB Leipzig 6-1 on Saturday with a scintillating performance, to live up to coach Vincent Kompany's prediction before the game that his team was close to hitting top form.
Kompany had said on Friday his team's consecutive ⁠draws in the league and Europe were not representative of Bayern's current level and his ⁠players proved him right, delivering a statement win, with Luis Diaz hitting a hat-trick, to silence critics.
The Bavarians had drawn 2-2 against Augsburg while also conceding the fastest goal in Bundesliga history last week before a ‌shock 3-3 draw at outsiders Viking in the ​Champions League on Tuesday.
They ⁠had to come from behind in both those matches but against Leipzig ​it was clear from the start ‌who was boss.
Bayern opened their account with Diaz in the 12th minute before the Colombian set up Aleksandar Pavlovic for their second 14 ​minutes later. Michael Olise, who had terrorised the Leipzig defence in the first half, capped his outstanding performance with a goal in the 34th.
Diaz bagged his hat-trick with goals either side of Harry Kane's tap-in on the England captain's 100th Bundesliga appearance. Leipzig scored a late consolation goal in stoppage time.
The ‌result lifted the champions into top spot on 14 points, ahead of Borussia Dortmund on ​goal difference, after the Ruhr valley club slipped up with a goalless draw at Union ​Berlin.
Dortmund, who ‌lost ⁠1-0 in the Champions League at Bodo/Glimt on Wednesday and have now failed to win any of their last three matches across all competitions, lacked spark.
They also had striker Konstantinos Karetsas, ​who had come on in the 62nd minute, go off with an ⁠ankle injury just ​eight minutes later. He had come back after collapsing in September during a Champions League game due to what the club said were 'circulatory problems'.
The visitors had to settle for a second consecutive league draw. Freiburg, on 13, are in action against Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday and can reclaim ​top spot with a win.
Werder Bremen became the first Bundesliga team in history ​to come back from a two-goal deficit in three consecutive league matches when they did it against Paderborn for a 2-2 draw.
 — Reuters