Bayer Leverkusen celebrated their third win in a row in the Bundesliga against a weak VfB Stuttgart and won 2-0 (1-0). Moussa Diaby (30′) gave Leverkusen the lead, Jonathan Tah increased in the closing stages. Stuttgart is wintering on the relegation place in the greatest relegation distress. Leverkusen improves to eleventh place.
Diaby puts Bayer in the lead
Bayer started as expected: The Werkself tried to get forward via the strong right flank with Jeremie Frimpong and Moussa Diaby. Amine Adli was unable to take advantage of a first cross from Dutchman Frimpong (11′), Diaby was denied by VfB keeper Florian Müller (26′). Three minutes later, Adli didn’t aim accurately enough after a corner.
His French team-mate then did better: after a strong solo, Diaby fired and Waldemar Anton deflected the shot untenably. Stuttgart concentrated mainly on the defensive, only Naouirou Ahamada appeared dangerous with a header (25th).
Stuttgart offensively harmless
Anyone hoping for a rush from the guests in the second half was bitterly disappointed: although VfB now had more of the ball, there were no offensive ideas. Bayer relied exclusively on counterattacks – so a game developed without any real highlights for the time being.
The duo Frimpong and Diaby provided the wake-up call for everyone in the stadium. The latter went through on the left, crossed in and Frimpong only hit the bar with the shot (64th). The game then fell asleep again. Leverkusen patiently waited for counterattacks. In one of these, Frimpong hit the goal, but was just offside (77′). Tah made the decision after an Amiri corner.
Stuttgart against Mainz, Leverkusen in Gladbach
After the winter break on Matchday 16, VfB Stuttgart welcomes 1. FSV Mainz 05 (Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). A day later, Leverkusen is challenged away against Borussia Mönchengladbach (5.30 p.m.).