Bayern slipping: Bayern back on top after 2,284 days

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Bayern slip used
Bayer returns to the top after 2,284 days

Bayer Leverkusen has registered “Vizekusen” as a trademark, but now the Bundesliga club has overcome its own nimbus. At the end of the eleventh day, the club takes the lead in the table. Coach Peter Bosz’s team remains undefeated at TSG Hoffenheim.

Bayer Leverkusen took advantage of record champion Bayern Munich’s slippage and, led by double-packer Leon Bailey, returned to the top of the Bundesliga after 2,284 days. After Bayern’s unexpected 1-1 draw at Union Berlin on Saturday, Werkself deservedly won 4-1 (2-0) against TSG Hoffenheim. The still undefeated Rhinelander leads the table for the first time since matchday three of the 2014/15 season. For the club, which had the “Vizekusen” brand protected because it never got more than second place after 1993, it surpasses itself.

Leon Bailey (4th / 27th), who had already scored two goals against Slavia Prague (4-0) on Thursday in the Europa League, young star Florian Wirtz (55th) and Lucas Alario (90th + 1) scored the penalty Hit by Bayer. Hoffenheim, for whom Christoph Baumgartner (50.) scored well, fell to twelfth place due to the fifth loss of the season. Hoffenheim’s Florian Grillitsch (64th) for repetition of foul play and Stefan Posch (79th / hand play) also saw the yellow-red card.

“I think the performance and the result make us very positive and give us a lot of energy for the final streak before Christmas,” Julian Baumgartlinger from Leverkusen said on Sky and added, looking at the table: “It’s a snapshot, but it’s also something. We know how difficult it is to advance in this league. But there are still two-thirds left to play. “

Warning shot shakes Bayer

Bosz changed his starting eleven to four spots compared to Thursday. In addition, striker Alario returned to the squad after recovering from knee problems and celebrated his comeback in the 66th minute. At Hoffenheim, which like Leverkusen is in the second round of the “little European Cup”, the coach Sebastian Hoeneß has relied on the team since their 3-1 win at FC Augsburg last week.

After 15 seconds, Leverkusen had to take a deep breath after Grillitsch headed over the goal of Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky completely free. The early warning shot took effect and woke Bayer up: after a brief corner kick with Nadiem Amiri, Bailey circled the ball dreamy and unsustainable for TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Leverkusen assumed command, inspired by the initial leadership. Bailey (7th) and Patrik Schick (19th) gave the best chances.

Wirtz shows class

It wasn’t until the middle of the first half that Hradecky had to intervene against Hoffenheim’s Baumgartner. Then Bailey was able to thank TSG striker Andrej Kramaric and Baumann for their second goal of the night. The Bayer striker reacted quickly after an unnecessary 40-meter back pass, grabbed the ball and ran past Baumann as he ran out and pushed inside. As farmers outside the BayArena repeatedly honked their tractor horns at the stadium in a demonstration from the 40th minute onwards, Wirtz, who had been saved by Bosz on Thursday, stopped the Baumann, who reacted brilliantly this time, with a shot. at full throttle (44 °).

The break was obviously good for the guests from Kraichgau. TSG returned to the field with much more energy. Baumgartner rewarded his team for this with a long-range shot to the far corner. Hoffenheim’s enthusiasm did not last long, as Wirtz demonstrated his class with a technically demanding dribble in front of his goal. In the final phase, when there was a disagreement with Hoffenheim defense chief Kevin Voigt, Nadiem Amiri was lucky that he only saw yellow instead of red after a pull on the ear. Hoffenheim then had no chance with nine.