Bayer coach Xabi Alonso sank into a cheering cluster in front of the Leverkusen bench.
The Werkself, who were penultimate when the Spaniard took office in October, defeated RB Leipzig 2-0 (1-0) on Sunday and, after the 13th competitive game without defeat, moved up to four points behind the Saxons in sixth place. Three days after reaching the semi-finals in the Europa League, Bayer got in touch with the Champions League places in the Bundesliga.
“It’s going extremely well for us right now, I’m very, very proud of the team,” said Bayer’s strong central defender Jonathan Tah on the DAZN streaming service and praised his colleagues: “How Löwen defends as a team.” Tah announced for the end of the season: “We’re going on, we’re not satisfied.” RB coach Marco Rose, on the other hand, was annoyed: “That was the umpteenth game this season, which we simply cannot lose.”
The previous fourth in the table, Leipzig, slipped out of the Champions League ranks after their eighth defeat of the season and is now in fifth place, directly ahead of Bayer. Adam Hlozek (40th minute) and Nadiem Amiri with a penalty kick (86th) scored Leverkusen’s goals. The Saxons didn’t reward themselves for their clear superiority in the second half and lost Dominik Szoboszlai before the penalty with a yellow-red card.
Leipzig determined, but “not consistent enough”
“In the crucial moments we weren’t consistent enough, both offensively and defensively,” said RB professional Benjamin Henrichs, speaking of a setback. “It’s a pattern that costs us points. We’re not effective enough.”
At Bayer, three of the most important performers of the past few weeks were not even in the squad. According to the club, national player Florian Wirtz was absent due to gastrointestinal problems and sat in the stands with a blue and white baseball cap. Defender Edmond Tapsoba was rested as a precaution because of a muscular problem, while Argentinian world champion Exquiel Palacios was not fit in time.
Leipzig, who were missing national player David Raum due to a yellow card suspension, were initially the fresher and more active team. Timo Werner already had the lead in the sixth minute from a tight angle, but shot Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky in the chest.
Leverkusen, who in the past few weeks have used a compact defensive approach to their offensive game, were even deeper this time. But then they suddenly had the perfect counterattack chance when Mitchel Bakker, Kerem Demirbay and Moussa Diaby ran towards the goal in a threesome after a Leipzig corner kick and frittered away the ball (28′). Goalkeeper Janis Blaswich underestimated Piero Hincapié’s long-range shot from 30 meters and the ball smacked the bar (32′).
Leverkusen lurks and decides late
Leipzig had more than 60 percent possession of the ball in the first round and nominally significantly more shots on goal. But Leverkusen had the better chances and the Rhinelanders then used the fourth when Hlozek slotted in a sharp cross from Diaby from ten meters out for his fifth goal of the season.
Leipzig coach Marco Rose brought in Christopher Nkunku at the break. Germany’s footballer of the year made a 16-minute comeback last week after tearing the outer ligament. Leipzig’s game only got a little more purposeful, but at least there were chances now. Especially through Nkunku, whose Tah smashed the ball away from his feet at the last second after a save from Hradecky (66′). Shortly thereafter, Hradecky parried Willi Orban’s header after a corner kick (68′). Frimpong missed the decision (83′) in a Leverkusen counterattack, which Amiri then took care of from the penalty spot. After the final whistle, Amiri exuberantly slammed his hand on the grass.
