Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen duo, Nathan Tella and Victor Okoh Boniface, were unable to muster anything productive in their side’s 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, Soccernet.ng reports.
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich didn’t beat Leverkusen last season and faced a tough task welcoming Xabi Alonso’s team to the Munich Football Arena.
Victor Boniface led the line for the Bundesliga champions while Nathan Tella was relegated to a place on the bench, as Alonso preferred Jeremie Frimpong.
Leverkusen broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. Alejandro Grimaldo’s corner kick from the right missed everyone in the Bayern box, leaving the ball to Granit Xhaka, who cushioned the ball into Robert Andrich’s path. The German defensive midfielder wasted no time in blasting the ball into the right-hand side of Manuel Neuer’s goal.
Bayer Leverkusen lead against Bayern Munich, Robert Andrich drilling home from the edge of the box from a corner.
@SkyFootball pic.twitter.com/CoVVceEacT
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) September 28, 2024
Eight minutes later, Bayern Munich youngster, 20-year-old Aleksandar Pavlovic, levelled the scores for the home side, with an even better strike. A loose ball from a Bayern attack fell kindly to the young midfielder, and he blasted the ball home from 30 yards, with a shot speed that hit a whopping 101.78km/hr.
Aleksandar Pavlović with an absolute SCREAMER to draw Bayern level!
pic.twitter.com/p0qQVHgGN8
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 28, 2024
Bayern Munich came with guns blazing in the second half, but Leverkusen maintained their discipline defensively, limiting the home side to just three shots on target all game.
Nathan Tella replaced Boniface in the 78th minute and had a chance to give Leverkusen the lead, but the effort of the former Southampton man was rather tame and easy to save for Neuer.
Bayern Munich are currently top of the Bundesliga, with 13 points from their opening five games while Leverkusen are three points behind in third position.
