Bundesliga table leaders Bayer Leverkusen are still heading towards the first championship in the club’s history.
The Werkself had problems for a long time against FSV Mainz 05, who were in serious danger of relegation, but ultimately deservedly won 2-1 (1-1). Bayer is at least maintaining its comfortable lead over champions Bayern Munich, temporarily at eleven points. The Mainz team remains penultimate in the table and is in the middle of a relegation battle.
In addition to the victory, the Werkself can also celebrate a record: It was the 33rd game in a row without defeat, meaning the leaders improved Bayern’s record (32 from 2019 to 2020). Granit Xhaka (3rd) with his first goal for Leverkusen and Robert Andrich (68th) after a mistake by Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner scored the hosts’ goals, Dominik Kohr (7th) equalized in the meantime. The superior Leverkusen team missed a number of chances and played the final phase outnumbered after the red card against substitute Jessic Ngankam (80th).
“Overall, we were too impatient and not precise enough”
“We have to be honest with ourselves that we didn’t play a good game and won a bit happily,” said Andrich on “DAZN”: “But we’re not complaining about the three points. Overall, we were too impatient and not precise enough. ” His goal was “of course preceded by a goalkeeping error,” but “I’m glad the ball rolled in.”
Bayer coach
The favorite started furiously and scored with the first shot. Xhaka shot the ball beautifully over Mainz keeper Zentner to take the early lead. But Mainz reacted strongly, after a free kick captain Silvan Widmer found Kohr in the middle, who headed the equalizer.
A tough game followed. The penultimate team from Mainz responded to Leverkusen’s offensive power football with a lot of physicality. Bayer developed an attack.
The strong player in this phase kept Mainz in the game several times with saves, but as in Heidenheim, the Werkself often lacked accuracy. Chances from Hofmann (40th) and Alejandro Grimaldo with a free kick (43rd) were thwarted by Zentner.
After the break, Mainz became brave, Jae-Sung Lee intercepted a pass from Tapsoba just outside the penalty area, finished directly and shot over (55th). The Leverkusen team tried hard, but was still not precise. Andrich’s long-range shot was also too central, but slipped through Zentner’s fingers – and Leverkusen celebrated.