analysis
Slow game, hardly any chances, many players looking for their shape. Bayer 04 Leverkusen seems to go out the air in the end of the season.
His gaze kept going to the outside line. Lukas Hradecky wanted to help in the last seconds of the game against Union Berlin in the opposing penalty area to somehow push the ball over the goal line. But the permission of coach Xabi Alonso was missing. And so the goalkeeper had to watch painfully from the distance, as his colleagues failed above all – and thus played the chance of defending the title.
“I was ready”Hradecky said and garnished this wording with a loud laugh after the disappointing 0-0 against Union Berlin. “But then I couldn’t have done anything with the ball.” And although he didn’t want this to the loyal hradecky, he made a diagnosis of the youngest Leverkusen failure.
Slightness has disappeared
The Werkself has missed it in the past few weeks in an unusual way to sit down at the top of the table – even though FC Bayern had offered the opportunity. The latest home defeat against Werder Bremen and now the again disappointing draw against Union Berlin probably prevent the triumph.
For a few weeks now, it has been in the creative, football area at Werkelf. The Leverkusen engine stuttered, especially in the attack, where ideas had been created in the past season and the ball leader always had several allocation options. The lightness and the complete conviction of being able to put every opponent in his place are no longer present. And Hradecky couldn’t have changed that either.
Disillusionment at the Responsible
And: The quick, varied game has often given way to a slope of the ball in midfield, which is often less effective and above all too slow. The so often marveled and intoxicating One-touch-Fußball of the pre -season has apparently disappeared without a trace.
“We don’t get enough pace in our game at the moment“Said sports managing director Simon Rolfes after the game against the Berliners who are destructive over long distances. “75 percent possession of the ball without changing speed do not mean anything for me. Only three shots on goal, that’s far too little”judged Alonso, who was also visibly sober about the idea of his team.
Sportschau, April 12th, 2025 7:48 p.m.
Form curves of many players point downwards
All that is as natural in the double year as that Last minute-Tore was simply no longer there. The problem of the Leverkusenians is therefore agreed – the causes, on the other hand, diverse. And they are not only looking for Florian Wirtz’s absence -related absence.
The shape curves of some players in particular have been showing down for some time. After all Bayer professionals felt in almost every game in the previous season, it is hard to overlook how much important players have been looking for their shape for some time.
From defense to the storm – from Jonathan Tah to Alejandro Grimaldo, from Granit Xhaka to Exequiel Palacios, from Nathan Tella to Jeremie Frimpong. This list of seekers could be continued effortlessly. “Our energy is not the best at the moment”said Alonso. The air seems to be out at Bayer 04.
Nothing going on without Wirtz
The team has harmed the team that the most creative player in the Bundesliga was last with the performance of the colleagues. Because the Alonso team was looking for these playful solutions that the 21-year-old had delivered so reliably-and it was never able to compensate for this failure.
The blamable semi-final cup against third division club Arminia Bielefeld, the weak appearance at FC Heidenheim (1-0) in the Bundesliga and now the goalless draw against the Berliners were all evidence of the collective shape and also for the helplessness of the workself. “With Florian we are a better team”said Alonso on Saturday afternoon. However, the coach is likely to seriously worry that his team is so dependent on the 21-year-old.
Hardly any title hope
Despite their weakness in the final sprint, the Leverkuseners stay in the title race. Because even the Munich team could not prevail against Borussia Dortmund (2: 2). Even if the chances with six points in five outstanding games are more theoretical in nature.
“We didn’t do a favor today. It won’t be easier”said Hradecky. And Alonso added: “It’s not over.” Nevertheless, he has the feeling that it now “is more difficult. We are not euphoric.” Seriously meant confidence looks different.