Five Observations from Bayern Munich’s chaotic 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen

End-to-end football, red cards, equalizers, and controversy. Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga road trip to face Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday was heaven for the neutrals, but hell for fans of both sides.

Here are the biggest takeaways from a chaotic night at the BayArena.

An embarrassing afternoon for officiating in the Bundesliga

Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen — an encounter that has become a classic in recent history and a game players and fans alike look forward to in the footballing calendar — was marred with controversy.

If Bayern’s Michael Olise and Luis Díaz thought they were the stars coming into this fixture, then they had no idea what awaited them in the BayArena. Between the two goals disallowed for questionable handballs and one red card for simulation despite clear contact, Christian Dingert stole the show — for all the wrong reasons.

Poor refereeing decisions also make one ponder why the rules and regulations haven’t caught up with VAR. Luis Díaz will miss next week’s clash against Union Berlin after earning himself a second yellow for simulation, despite clear contact from Blaswich. Why can’t a case like this be reviewed? Footballing law just doesn’t allow it. Now Bayern will have to do without Jonathan Tah, Nicolas Jackson, and Luis Díaz next week.

Refereeing may be the most difficult job in the world, but that doesn’t mean referees should be exempt from criticism. In Dingert’s case, criticism will be in a deserved surplus — especially from the Bayern faithful.

VAR or the handball rule is broken

In all honesty maybe both are broken.

Bayern Munich were disallowed two goals against Leverkusen for the same reason: handball. First, Michael Olise’s in-swinging corner deflected off the arm of Jonathan Tah — which was in a natural position on the side of his body — into the back of Leverkusen’s net. Disallowed. Then, after being on the pitch just one minute, Harry Kane charged down a Janis Blaswich clearance kick, hitting his arm in the process — which, like Tah’s, was in a natural position on the side of his body. The subsequent ended with Luis Díaz’s low cross being tapped into an empty net by Kane. Again, disallowed.

Perhaps I’m missing something, but according to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), it is a handball when a player “touches the ball with their hand/arm when it is in a position that makes their body unnaturally bigger and that position is not the result of their body moving fairly as part of play.” According to the IFAB’s ruling, I don’t understand how both Bayern goals were disallowed.

I’d like to invite everyone who watched the game to the comments section to shed whatever light I apparently missed while watching the game.

Jackson giveth, Jackson taketh

Since deputizing for the injured Harry Kane, Nicolas Jackson has earned rave reviews from his peers—and deservedly so. The Senegalese striker capped two impressive displays in Kane’s absence, scoring a goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach then netting another, as well as an providing an assist, in Bayern’s 6-1 demolition of Atalanta. If Jacksons last two games were an example of all the reasons why Bayern should hold onto the 24-yeyar-old striker, then his performance against Leverkusen comes as a reminder of why they should part ways.

Jackson’s game started with a missed opportunity. Granted, not the easiest. However, it was an opportunity you would expect a Bayern level striker to score. Sadly, there wasn’t much time left for the Chelsea loanee to correct course. In the 42nd minute, Jackson committed a horrific, studs up challenge on Martin Terrier, earning himself a deserved red card. While the red card itself is upsetting, it’s also forgivable. What is more difficult to forgive is the context surrounding the red card.

Jackson earned three consecutive starts for Vincent Kompany’s side as a result of Harry Kane’s persistent calf issues. It is absolutely crucial that Kane, who was likely rested against Leverkusen as a precautionary measure, remains in prime shape for the rest of the season. Jackson’s moment of madness, which could result in a two-match suspension, leaves Bayern paper thin in the striking department in a key moment — more risk for Kane, more risk for Bayern.

Jackson might have some good moments, but he has just as many bad moments.

What’s more embarrassing: Receiving two red cards or failing to beat a team of nine men?

Bayern and Leverkusen were both dreadful. Bayern’s first half in particular left everything to be desired, lacking the spark and energy that has made Kompany’s side such a success this season. Meanwhile, Leverkusen proved exactly why they aren’t even within arms length of a title race this season.

Nicolas Jackson’s red was well deserved, Luis Díaz’s wasn’t. At the end of the day, Bayern still received two red cards in one game, showing a lack of discipline and control. Leverkusen, on the other hand, conceded to a ten-man Bayern and couldn’t even get the job done when the visitors were reduced to just nine men. In fact, Bayern were still creating chances despite being two players down.

Both sides produced laughable performances, but in all fairness, it made for one of the most entertaining spectacles of the entire season.

Bayern are getting complacent

On the back of scoring ten goals in two matches without your star striker — including an eleven point lead in the Bundesliga — one could understand Bayern’s confidence coming into their clash with Die Werkself. However, there is a big difference between confidence and complacency, and Bayern know which end of the spectrum they were on today.

Bayern’s first half performance was utterly dreadful. Luis Díaz’s mistake leading to Leverkusen’s opening goal is the perfect example. No will to play taken advantage of by a young, up and coming winger with everything to prove. It was uncharacteristic of Díaz. In fact, Bayer themselves were uncharacteristic, offering not even the slightest whiff of what makes this side Europe’s most dangerous attack. Bayern, and Díaz for that matter, were able to redeem themselves in part, salvaging a point from a game they probably shouldn’t have.

No points, or victories are a given. An entitled Bayern, hopefully, learnt that the hard way today.