Bayern Munich Player Ratings vs Werder Bremen: 8/10 For active Neuer; Lewandowski among three to get 5 or less

Manuel Neuer came out as the hero for Bayern Munich in their shocking 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

Werder Bremen secured their fifth consecutive draw in the Bundesliga by stopping Bayern Munich in their tracks at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

The Bavarians, who made a host of key changes in the first-team, failed to impose themselves during the early stages of the game. Although they did dominate possession, there was a lack of penetration.

On the flip side, it was Bremen who created more clear-cut opportunities, notably forcing Manuel Neuer to make two world-class saves in the first half. However, he couldn’t stop Maximilian Eggestiein from putting the visitors in front on the cusp of half-time.

Bayern Munich enjoyed more freedom after the restart as the opposition began to tire. Their early pressure was even rewarded as Kingsley Coman eventually found the equaliser in the 62nd minute. But, Bremen deserve credit for not giving up, as they remained strong defensively throughout the game.

Die Grunweissen even had a couple of great opportunities to restore their lead during the last ten minutes whereas, Bayern failed to find any openings as the game ended in a stalemate. And here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over the Bavarians in their disappointing 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen.

Manuel Neuer: 8/10

Despite conceding six goals against Spain in midweek, Manuel Neuer showed why he is one of the best ‘keepers in the world by making two amazing saves in the first half.

Neuer was strong in the second half as well, particularly when Josh Sargent was clean through on goal. He was a massive thorn in the side for Werder Bremen, who might have easily scored at least three goals had it not been for the German international. Unlucky not to preserve the clean sheet.

Benjamin Pavard: 6.5/10

Benjamin Pavard struggled once again in dealing with his marker – this time it was Milot Rashica. The Frenchman was greatly troubled by the presence of the dynamic Bremen winger, especially during the first half. Things did settle down eventually as the game progressed and the Frenchman was involved in a couple of attacking moments.

Jerome Boateng: 6/10

Starting ahead of Niklas Sule, Jerome Boateng did very little to provide any sort of solidity at the back for FC Bayern. In fact, he had a difficult time dealing with US international Sargent, whose pace and dynamism was too much for the ageing centre-back.

David Alaba: 7/10

David Alaba initially started as a centre-back but had to settle out wide due to the early injury of Lucas Hernandez. It was nice to see the Austrian international returning to his old position. He did a decent job as well, notably keeping Leonardo Bittencourt silent and providing the necessary offensive support.

Lucas Hernandez: N/A

Hernandez’s night was cut short by an unfortunate injury that forced him to get substituted in the 19th minute. Hansi Flick and the Bayern fans will be hoping that it’s nothing too serious, especially with Alphonso Davies already sidelined. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.

Javi Martinez: 5/10

Javi Martinez had to shift into the centre-back role following the injury of Hernandez and Alaba subsequently operating as a left-back. It didn’t bode well for Bayern at all as the Spaniard’s lack of pace made it easier for the likes of Rashica and Sargent to provide a threat on the counter.

Kingsley Coman: 7/10

Kingsley Coman didn’t enjoy a positive first half, often getting isolated out wide. There was also a lack of penetration from the Frenchman, who did improve in the second half. He started involving himself in the game, combining well with Alaba and providing a lot of useful crosses into the box before eventually scoring the equaliser. Unlucky to be subbed off right after the goal though.

Thomas Muller: 6.5/10

Thomas Muller also had his difficulty in providing a threat in the Bremen half during the first half. However, he became Bayern’s creator-in-chief after the restart, gelling well with the likes of Coman and Douglas Costa, as well as Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane. He was rather unfortunate that his contributions weren’t enough to earn his side a narrow victory.

Jamal Musiala: 6/10

Jamal Musiala was given his highly-anticipated starting debut for FC Bayern, but unfortunately, it wasn’t a great one. The youngster often found it difficult to keep hold of the ball for long or create anything substantial in the final third. Carried the ball well, but it wasn’t enough to cause a great deal for trouble for Omer Toprak and company.

Douglas Costa: 6.5/10

Douglas Costa was perhaps Bayern’s most active attacker in the first half. So unsurprisingly, the Brazilian enjoyed an excellent second half, where he made a number of runs across the byline – providing a series of dangerous crosses into the box. Might have made a bigger impact if he hadn’t left the pitch around the hour mark.

Robert Lewandowski: 5/10

It was a disappointing game for Robert Lewandowski who barely even had one opportunity to find the back of the net. He was completely isolated by the Bremen centre-backs, with Toprak, in particular, keeping close tabs. As a result, the Pole came nowhere near in finding the back of the net despite playing the whole ninety minutes.

Substitutes

Leon Goretzka: 7.5/10

Replaced the injured Hernandez early in the game but found it difficult to impose his authority in the middle of the park. However, the German international improved considerably in the second half and was arguably Bayern’s second-best player on the pitch. In fact, it was him he who provided a brilliant lofted pass to Coman for the equaliser before creating a few more opportunities for his side throughout the game.

Leroy Sane: 6/10

Leroy Sane looked dangerous on the ball as usual but lacked the penetration. As a result, the Bavarians failed to find the second goal following the substitution of Coman and Costa.

Serge Gnabry: 6/10

Gnabry’s vicious right foot was always a danger for the Bremen backline. Fortunately for them, it wasn’t firing this evening.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: 4/10

Tried his best in denying Bayern Munich two points by missing a glorious opportunity late in the game and being an absolute liability during the final phase of the game.