Bayer Leverkusen does not come out of the table basement even with the new coach Xabi Alonso. The 0: 2 (0: 1) at RB Leipzig exacerbates the crisis.
Xabi Alonso watched the final minutes of the game motionless. After the final whistle, the Spaniard acknowledged the renewed setback for Bayer Leverkusen with a petrified expression. The effect of the change of coach has already evaporated at the Werkself – quite different at RB Leipzig.
The Saxons celebrated an important success under Marco Rose with the 2-0 (1-0) in the race for international places and are unbeaten in nine competitive games. “With the tired legs and the huge game on Tuesday, it was difficult to get back into everyday business,” admitted Timo Werner sky four days after the Champions League triumph against Real Madrid: “We are marching in exactly the right direction.”
Christopher Nkunku (32nd) and Werner (83rd) scored the goals for Leipzig, who now have 19 points and with tailwind in the duel for the round of 16 of the premier class on Wednesday (6.45 p.m./DAZN) go against Shakhtar Donetsk.
At Leverkusen, the situation is still serious with only nine points from twelve games. “We already know that the constellation is brutally dangerous,” said midfielder Robert Andrich: “We’re in a relegation battle.” The Werkself have to play in the Champions League on Tuesday (6:45 p.m./DAZN) are also still worried about participating in the Europa League against Club Brugge.
After the long-term absence of goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi (torn cruciate ligament), RB coach Rose also had to do without substitute keeper Janis Blaswich (calf problems). Örjan Nyland, who was signed just three weeks ago, was between the posts for him.
Florian Wirtz, who is back in part of the team training after a cruciate ligament tear, was still absent from Leverkusen. Striker Patrik Schick came on as a substitute after adductor problems (65′).
In front of 45,958 spectators in the Red Bull Arena, the teams started out rather cautiously and in control, with neither side creating any great chances in the relatively balanced early phase. However, Leipzig then looked for the way forward, Werner tried to find Nkunku in the penalty area, but Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky (18th) prevented the cross pass.
A little later, Nkunku failed in the penalty area, first against the visitors’ defense and then again against Hradecky (20′). Nevertheless, there was usually little speed in the game, in which the teams largely neutralized each other.
After a free-kick executed by Dominik Szoboszlai, Nkunku finally gave Leipzig the lead with a header. RB then gradually gained the upper hand, but the Saxons rarely became really dangerous. There was little to see from Leverkusen offensively.
After the break, David Raum shot straight to the finish, but did not pose any major problems for Hradecky (48′). Leipzig initially defended consistently, even if Leverkusen were now more offensive. Daley Sinkgraven’s attempt was parried by Nyland (61′), on the other side Hradecky prevented a higher deficit after a shot by Werner (63′).
RB Leipzig – Bayer Leverkusen: The data for the game
