Clear win against Leipzig
©IMAGO
Bayer Leverkusen has postponed RB Leipzig’s return to the Champions League and significantly improved its own chances of a place in the premier class. With the 4-1 (2-0) win in the top game of the 32nd matchday in the Bundesliga, the Werkself moved past their rivals VfB Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim with the same points to fourth place with 58 points thanks to the better goal difference.
In front of 30,210 spectators, the outstanding Patrik Schick (25th/76th/89th minute) and Nathan Tella (45th) scored the Bayer goals. Christoph Baumgartner (80th) scored for Leipzig, who remain third in the table with 62 points and can book their ticket to the premier class next Saturday with a win in the home game against FC St. Pauli.
Although David Raum was back in the Leipzig squad, RB coach Ole Werner did without the national player. “We have been talking over the last few days and finally made the decision this morning,” reported Werner. Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Mark Flekken returned between the posts.
Leipzig misses its first chances
Before kick-off, Bayer coach Kasper Hjulmand registered the 3-3 draw between Hoffenheim and Stuttgart with great goodwill. “Of course I saw that. Hopefully that gives a push. Of course we have to chase fourth place. We’re fresh, we’re ready,” said Hjulmand, referring to the rivals in the race for a Champions League place.
The Werkself started with corresponding motivation and, in their offensive drive, almost ran into an early counterattack. After a Schick shot that RB defense chief Willi Orban was just able to block, things quickly went in the other direction. Romulo only hit the ball into the side netting. Although the home team was the more active team, the guests initially had the better chances. When Romulo shot again, Aleix Garcia saved just in front of the line for the already beaten Flekken.
Bayer 04 efficient before the break
Leverkusen acted harmlessly near the penalty area for a long time – and yet took the lead. After a quick goal kick from Flekken, Leipzig’s defense was disorganized. Tella appeared free in front of RB goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoort and passed it across to Schick, who deliberately pushed the ball into the far corner.
Six minutes later the Czech could have extended the lead, but Leipzig’s El-Chadaille Bitshiabu prevented a secure 2-0 with a strong save. But that was only postponed: Shortly before the break, Tella injected a cross from Aleix Garcia and finished with a direct pass.
The first chance after the change also belonged to the hosts. Schick again finished in the penalty area, but Vandevoordt was there. Leipzig struggled, but couldn’t find a gap in Bayer’s compact defense. In fact, Schick finally put the lid on Bayer with his second goal a quarter of an hour before the end. And Schick even followed up again. It was the 30-year-old’s 15th goal of the season, whom Hjulmand had praised before kick-off: “He’s a great finisher.”
