Match Awards from Bayern Munich’s grueling 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt

Harry Kane earned his 12th multi-goal game this season as Bayern Munich defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 at the Allianz Arena. The two sides traded goals in the first half and VAR spotted an off-the-ball foul in the box to award Bayern the game-winning penalty kick in the 61st minute.

With a Dortmund loss today, Bayern officially clinched a top four finish in the Bundesliga and a place in next year’s Champions League. Frankfurt has a five-point lead on Freiburg as they try to hold on to sixth place and a spot in next year’s Europa League.

Jersey Swap: Hugo Ekitike

In the 23rd minute, Ekitike’s brilliantly dribbled between Thomas Müller and Konrad Laimer before curling a beautiful shot past Manuel Neuer. Frankfurt only mustered three shots on goal with 0.44 xG, so Ekitike’s unlikely finish proved even more important.

Omar Marmoush was more consistent getting behind the Bayern defense but never really threatened with his finishing touch. If Junior Dina Ebimbe hadn’t flopped on a shove from Harry Kane late in the first half, he might’ve won this award after scoring a go-ahead goal. Ebimbe had a few more impressive moments, but failed to translate them into anything that impacted the outcome of the game.

Der Kaiser: Noussair Mazraoui

Most of this season has seen Bayern fans and critics lamenting the lack of a right back on the squad. Joshua Kimmich has solved that problem, but it’s been even more surprising that Mazraoui has stepped up and looked more comfortable than Alphonso Davies at left back during the month of April.

Mazraoui put in a solid 70 minutes, winning five out of six ground duels and both aerial challenges. He may not possess the offensive prowess as Davies, but he’s handling his duties and has earned back the trust of Thomas Tuchel.

Fußballgott: Konrad Laimer

For the first third of the match, Laimer was the best player on the pitch. He was instrumental in applying pressure throughout the midfield and routing the ball to the wings.

In the ninth minute, Laimer jumped all over an inaccurate pass from Willian Pacho, busted through two other defenders, and drove the ball directly toward a helpless Kevin Trapp. Laimer calmly laid the ball off to Harry Kane for an easy tap-in, giving Bayern the early advantage.

If it weren’t for an unfortunate knock that forced him to be subbed off in the 28th minute, Laimer probably would’ve won the top award today.

Der Bomber: Thomas Müller

All four attackers today are in their thirties, so expecting a lightning speed approach was never on the table. Laimer created the first goal entirely on his own out of thin air, and the second goal was a gift from Robin Koch throwing a frustrated elbow at Müller.

In the 45th minute, Müller played a beautiful ball across to Raphaël Guerreiro but Guerreiro was denied at point blank range by Trapp and the woodwork. In a weird twist, Müller’s ability to draw the elbow from Koch ended up being the difference in the game.

Meister of the Match: Harry Kane

Kane calmly slotted in both of his goals, a tap-in and a penalty kick. Kane didn’t do anything special to earn either goal, but he made sure to finish the opportunities. Any fan who was dealt with Raheem Sterling or Timo Werner knows that free goals aren’t always guaranteed.

Kane’s work in the midfield and defensive end doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, but he constantly dropped back to offered an extra body in possession. The hustle to deny Ebimbe the aforementioned chance in the first half probably changed the course of the game.

With three matches remaining (Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim), Kane needs six Bundesliga goals to catch Robert Lewandowski’s single season scoring record.

If you would like to hear more about this game including the ramifications of this game for the Real Madrid tie, check out our Bavarian Podcast Works Postgame Show!