Bundesliga
Bayern Munich were pushed all the way by a battling Eintracht Frankfurt side before Leroy Sane's assured finish helped the Bavarians to maximum returns in Germany's financial capital.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 Sane 71' (assist: Kimmich)
Their wings clipped as a result of just one win in their previous six Bundesliga outings, Eintracht eyed the visit of the league leaders and defending champions as the perfect motivation for lift off. The Eagles won the corresponding fixture against Bayern 2-1 back in October, and Oliver Glasner's side soon issued their intentions of earning a repeat result at Deutsche Bank Park. Jesper Lindstrom sniffed for an opening in the early stages, while Benjamin Pavard and Jamal Musiala spurned opportunities at the other end. It was Filip Kostic, though, who would spurn the game's first big chance, the Serbian prodding wide when expertly played in by Lindstrom. The action quickly swinging to the other end in an already highly entertaining encounter, the hosts were almost made to pay for their previous miss when an unmarked Musiala somehow headed over from a central position. The end-to-end entertainment continued apace as Sven Ulreich denied Kostic before Kevin Trapp's palms were warmed by Kingsley Coman's stinging drive. Trapp was again on point to deny Joshua Kimmich and the 'keeper was subsequently left bloodied when Coman's follow up caught him flush in the face.
Hoping to open up a nine-point overnight lead at the top of the standings, Bayern pushed Die Adler back after the restart. In quick succession, the home side found themselves clearing off the line, Evan N'Dicka nodding a dangerous Pavard cut back over before Tuta frantically cleared from Dayot Upamecano. The attacking stats were stacking up in Bayern's favour, with the shots count over the teams' two games this term reaching 34 in the visitors' column. N'Dicka should have made those numbers irrelevant, the defender heading off target from Kostic's fine delivery. The miss would bear heavy consequences. Eyeing substitute Sane's attacking run, Kimmich sent a delicious assist through the Eintracht defence which Bayern's No.10 met with a touch to control before applying a calm finish into the corner. A frantic finale ensued, but the men in red held out for a hard-fought three points.
Watch: Lewandowski: "Kevin Trapp always plays well against us!"
Frankfurt: Trapp (c) - Tuta, Hinteregger, N'Dicka - Da Costa, Sow, Hrustic (Lammers 83'), Lenz (Hauge 78') - Knauff (Borre 67'), Kostic - Lindstrom (Kamada 82')
Unused subs: Grahl, Ilsanke, Toure,, Hasebe, Chandler
Out: Ache (hamstring), Jakic (suspended), Ramaj (knee), Rode (ribs)
Coach: Oliver Glasner
Bayern: Ulreich – Pavard, Upamecano, Süle, Hernandez – Sabitzer (Sane 67'), Kimmich – Gnabry, Musiala (Roca 82'), Coman – Lewandowski (c)
Unused subs: Früchtl, Richards, Choupo-Moting, Wanner, Nianzou, Tillman, Stanisic
Out: Davies (heart), Goretzka (knee), Müller (not included), Neuer (knee), Tolisso (hamstring)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Watch: Sane: "Scoring is the best response if you're a substitute!"