Thanks to an improvement in performance in the second half of the game, Bundesliga table leaders Bayer Leverkusen at least saved a point from their pursuers VfB Stuttgart. Stuttgart and Leverkusen drew 1-1 (1-0) on Sunday afternoon (December 10, 2023).
The hosts took the lead shortly before half-time after a nice combination by Chris Führich (40th). Florian Wirtz made it a draw quickly after the break (47′). VfB had numerous scoring opportunities in the first half of the game and Leverkusen in the second half. But in the end there were only two goals. Leverkusen slightly increased their lead in the table, but were unable to benefit from Munich’s embarrassment in Frankfurt to the extent they had hoped. The Swabians are only separated from the record champions by one point.
VfB were overwhelmingly superior from the start
Stuttgart started with a strong start and put the guests at the top of the table under pressure with high pressure during the first 45 minutes. VfB created chance after chance, but without benefiting from them. The relief was even greater when Führich, standing alone, pushed the ball over the goal line from a short distance. Deniz Undav and especially Josha Vagnoman had prepared well on the right.
But during the break, Xabi Alonso’s team underwent a transformation. Florian Wirtz in particular, whose role in this game was unclear for a long time, had apparently been instilled with a dose of self-confidence. First, an impressive dribble against four Stuttgart players came to nothing immediately after the restart, but after a pass from Victor Boniface – well served by Granit Xhaka – the young star was free and scored the equalizer from five meters without being forced.
A little later, Xhaka hit the right inside post with a 20-meter shot, from where the ball spun out to the left of the goal (49′). But as a result, Bayer Leverkusen took control of the game and created a preponderance of chances. A shot from Angelo Stiller was one of Stuttgart’s few opportunities (81′) in the second half. Leverkusen’s greatest threat to score came from a shot by Jonathan Tah, which narrowly missed Alexander Nübel’s goal on the left.
Leverkusen against Frankfurt, Stuttgart in Munich
Bayer Leverkusen welcomes Frankfurter Eintracht on matchday 15 (Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.). VfB Stuttgart is also challenged away against Bayern Munich (7.30 p.m.).