After the crazy catch-up, Xabi Alonso hurried onto the field and, completely detached, hearted every single of his last minute experts. Master Bayer Leverkusen has not yet ticked off the successful title defense – and after a late comeback it is closer to FC Bayern.
With the turbulent 4: 3 (0: 1) at VfB Stuttgart, Leverkusen not only ended his negative series after three competitive game bankruptcies: the workself, which had always struck late in the previous season, also used the mistake of Bayern Munich and moved up to six points.
“The air is not out,” said national player Jonathan Tah at Dazn: “We didn’t start well, but we didn’t give up and somehow believed it. Maybe you sometimes need just such victories to show that the spirit is still there.”
Ermedin Demirovic (15th), Nick Woltemade (48.) and an own goal of Granit Xhaka (62.) provided a convenient advantage of VfB in front of 59,000 spectators. Jeremie Frimpong (56.), Piero Hincapié (67.), an own goal of Angelo Stiller (88th) and Patrik Schick (90.+4), however, gave Leverkusen the victory that was no longer considered possible for a long time.
Bavaria had left points the day before at Union Berlin, of which Bayer now benefited. VfB, on the other hand, has been without victory for five Bundesliga departures – and has to worry about the renewed qualification for the European Cup.
After the end of Bayern and the unusual series of defeat in the Champions League, Bayer coach Alonso had been emphasized before the game in Swabia. He feels the “same pressure, no longer,” the Spaniard assured. His professionals, who initially had more of the game in Stuttgart, were almost unimpressed.
Bayer Leverkusen strikes back twice quickly
VfB gradually bit itself into the game – and rewarded itself after a quarter of an hour: Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky was able to parry the shot of Jamie Leweling from a short distance, but the Finn was powerless against the dusting of Demirovic. Patrik Schick missed the quick answer for Bayer when he set the ball from a central position after a flank over the goal (21st).
The double winner of the past season struggled in vain for great opportunities, Florian Wirtz’s injury-related lack was noticeable. VfB presented itself in the crucial duels and shortly before the break whistle after a counterattack by Enzo, almost scored the 2-0 (45.+1).
Instead, the second goal fell shortly after the restart: with a quick counterattack, Millot Woltemade, which remained freezing cold in front of Hradecky. This time, however, the workself succeeded in the quick counterattack, Frimpong scored with a low shot from a half -right position in the penalty area.
But only shortly afterwards the old distance was restored: Demirovic failed after an attack -like attack on Hradecky, but from which keeper bounced into Xhaka, which involuntarily bumbled it into his own goal. This score also only existed briefly. Hincapié hit Leverkusen after a corner with a shot in the left corner. The game now seemed completely open – and Leverkusen was impressively back in a crazy final phase.