Bayer Leverkusen’s story this season is something to be told in the history books of the Bundesliga. They managed to remain undefeated again by tying in stoppage time, this time in the last game of the match, against a Stuttgart that was on the verge of achieving the seemingly impossible (2-2).
It’s true that he has nothing more at stake than Germany’s scoring record, something that has already escaped a tie, but Xabi Alonso will surely love the reaction and courage shown by his players.
Leverkusen showed its shortcomings in the early stages of the second half. Not at first, where they arguably controlled the contest and it was even better for Stuttgart who, yes, had the first clear result with a header from Guirassy licking the post. The remaining minutes were dominated by the champions, with Adli very successful in midfield, but lacking punch as Schick was gray at the top.
On a pitch in poor condition, due to the celebrations a few weeks ago, the second half was sweet. He hit Stuttgart in the early going, also having a good season. Hradecky and the post prevented Leweling’s goal but the rebound fell to Führich, who made no mistake in an empty net (47′). Leverkusen was half-knocked out in a rivalry that was heated and Sebastian Hoeness’s team took advantage of that, who with high pressure won the conflict and Undav showed faith to score the second (57′).
Guirassy had his boots on to execute Leverkusen, but he didn’t. He sent a gift and you can’t do that against the champion. Xabi Alonso’s men held on to a burning nail and, barely holding the ground in any significant way, they reduced the gap with a left-footed shot from Adli that restored their faith (61′). And the dynamics changed, because Bayer began to eat meters and its rival. Nübel kept it going, with two back-to-back saves from Hoffman and Adli that halted the rivalry’s momentum.
From there it can head anywhere. It was true that Leverkusen took the rival field, but Guirassy once again put both away to seal the score. Wirtz also came on, causing Stuttgart to pull back, who matched strategically but were annulled for offside by Tapsoba. There wasn’t much action in the areas, just rough play from both sides and Leverkusen’s first defeat of the season.
Despite the very fast play, Bayer, through Wirtz, began to spin better and better. Anyway, the passing of minutes seemed to show that this time they would indeed lose, but there was another miracle. In the 96th minute, Stuttgart gave him a lateral foul and Andrich collected the rebound to equalize with a last-gasp volley. The Hoeness players protested as the goal was in time expired, but it was to no avail.
match lineup
1
30
twenty
12
4
6
25
8
14
7
twenty-one
33
twenty
7
16
2
twenty-one
18
8
9
26
27
BayArena
Alexander Nubel33
88′
Leonidas Stergioutwenty
80′
88′
Maximilian Mittelstädt7
76′
Attack Karazor16
Four.
Waldemar Anton2
41′
This is Hirokitwenty-one
30′
Jamie Lewelling18
91′
57′
95′
Enzo Millot8
68′
73′
73′
Serhou Guirassy9
73′
Deniz Undav26
41′
55′
73′
60′
Chris Fuehrich27
46′
80′
Replacements
Fabian Bredlow1
88′
Pascal Stenzelfifteen
91′
Four.
82′
Anthony Rouault29
80′
Mahmoud Dahoud5
73′
73′
Jeong Woo-Yeong10
73′
Genki Haraguchi17
88′
Luca Raymond40
Silas Katompa Mvumpa14
80′
73′
coach
Xabi Alonso
Sebastian Hoeness
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
