Bayer Leverkusen remains the third force in the Bundesliga. The Werkself easily won 3-0 (1-0) against Arminia Bielefeld.
The man of the day was celebrated by the fans with “Diaby, Diaby” chants in the 82nd minute when he was substituted. Frenchman Moussa Diaby was once again the “Reliable Monsieur” at Bayer Leverkusen, because with a brace (57th/81st) and twelve goals this season, he paved the way for the 3-0 (1-0) win against Arminia Bielefeld . Diaby was then celebrated by the fans in the curve.
The failure of top scorer Patrik Schick (torn muscle) was easily compensated. Because Schick replacement Lucas Alario was also on target (30th). “We also challenge ourselves a lot in training, we’ve developed a mentality that leads to that,” analyzed defender Jonathan Tah sky.
Alario takes the lead
With their third home win in a row, the Werkself secured third place and still have a four-point buffer on the Europa League places. As 14th, Bielefeld separates three more points from the relegation rank. “We had our chance, but Leverkusen deserved the win,” said Bielefeld’s Patrick Wimmer.
Before kick-off there was a minute’s silence because of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Both teams lined up together in the center circle. A banner reading “Stay Strong Ukraine” was also held up in the north stand.
Leverkusen, whose coach Gerardo Seoane switched to five positions in the starting XI after the 3-2 draw in Mainz last week, left their mark on the game from the start. After the first attack, beautifully initiated by young star Florian Wirtz, Paulinho frittered away the ball in a one-on-one against the rushing out Bielefeld keeper Stefan Ortega (2′). A few moments later, Charles Aranguiz put a long-range shot wide of the goal.
Bielefeld initially only enjoyed one goal. Bayer captain and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky had no problems with Sebastian Vasiliadis’ volley.
Leverkusen then pushed for the well-deserved lead: Paulinho (7th), Alario with a header (14th) and again Paulinho (24th) with a back-heel missed good opportunities.
Alario then did better, netting from close range after a hand-to-foot pass from Paulinho. After a short video study in Cologne, referee Martin Petersen awarded the goal.
Diaby ended Bielefeld’s hopes
Bielefeld was not shocked by this, Fabian Kunze shot just wide of the goal (39th). In return, Ortega parried strongly against Alario.
After the break, Alario scored again, but from an offside position. Then Bayer were lucky: Substitute Bryan Lasme ran away from defender Jonathan Tah and was saved by Hradecky from a tight angle (50′). Hradecky also had no problems with a shot from Alessandro Schöpf three minutes later.
In the middle of the second half, winger Diaby destroyed the last hopes of Arminen, who had been gaining strength before, for points in the BayArena.
