Bayern Munich ground out a 1-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday night thanks to Leroy Sane’s second half goal.

Frankfurt inflicted the first defeat of Julian Nagelsmann’s Bayern Munich tenure back in October but set out with a far more proactive approach in this weekend’s Topspiel.

Perhaps sensing the vulnerability in a Bayern side missing Manuel Neuer, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Muller – among others – Frankfurt picked their moments to fiercely press the league leaders, funnelling a swarm of black shirts forward in support of every high turnover.

Frankfurt’s Filip Kostic was on the end of one such breakaway in the seventh minute but poked wide.

Yet, for all of Bayern’s relative struggles – two defeats in seven games this calendar year – they are still Europe’s most prolific side.

Benjamin Pavard volleyed wide from close range and Jamal Musiala steered a snapshot header over the bar inside the opening ten minutes. Robert Lewandowski also missed the target when Frankfurt took the unique approach of leaving the feared number nine unmarked at a set piece.

Kevin Trapp – man of the match from that autumnal win – put his head on the line to catch Kingsley Coman’s vicious rebound flush in the face half an hour in.

Within ten minutes of the restart, Frankfurt were back under the cosh. The hosts‘ defensive duo Evan N’Dicka and Tuta only just scrambled the ball away from under their own crossbar during a squall of set pieces.

Frankfurt’s keeper was alert again to smother Lewandowski on the hour with a more conventional part of his anatomy.

It took the second half introduction of Sane to finally break the deadlock for Bayern. Latching onto Joshua Kimmich’s defence-splitting through ball, Sane bypassed the stubborn Trapp as Bayern found the net in a 71st consecutive Bundesliga match.

Sporadic bursts towards Bayern’s goal from the punchy hosts ensured it wasn’t a serene conclusion to the contest. But Nagelsmann’s side held on to record their first clean sheet in five matches and climb nine points clear at the division’s summit.

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Sven Ulreich (GK) – 5/10 – Hardly pervading a sense of calm with the ball at his feet or in his gloves.

Benjamin Pavard (RB) – 5/10 – Tasked with a more adventurous role as the balance of Bayern’s hybrid system shifted in the absence of Alphonso Davies but fired a golden chance into the ground and wide when up the pitch.

Dayot Upamecano (CB) – 5/10 – Skittish when faced with the admittedly challenging task of defending while furiously back-pedalling.

Niklas Sule (CB) – 7/10 – The most convincing of Bayern’s backline used his surprising speed to manoeuvre his towering frame around the pitch efficiently.

Lucas Hernandez (LB) – 5/10 – Got himself needlessly involved in off-ball incidents.

Joshua Kimmich (CM) – 8/10 – Integral in snaffling up stray balls out of possession. Often the only man in a vacated midfield also played the pass of the game.

Marcel Sabitzer (CM) – 4/10 – Struggled to exert a meaningful impact on proceedings as he drifted around aimlessly.

Jamal Musiala (AM) – 7/10 – Grew into the contest as his slippery footwork left numerous opponents slashing at thin air.

Serge Gnabry (RW) – 5/10 – Frequently drifted infield but into a crowd of black shirts.

Robert Lewandowski (ST) – 6/10 – The skipper for the day repeatedly dropped deep in search of the ball, perhaps feeling the absence of his partner in crime Muller.

Kingsley Coman (LW) – 7/10 – The only player offering Bayern any real width was a consistent threat.

Erster Wechsel! @leroy_sane kommt für #Sabitzer.#Packmas, Leroy!

? #SGEFCB 0-0 (67′) pic.twitter.com/HwqioMh3mf

— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) February 26, 2022

Leroy Sane (AM) – 7/10 – Immediately picked up the pace of the contest, offering a purposeful central presence.

Marc Roca (CM) – N/A

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (ST) – N/A