TDespite a risky major rotation, Bayer Leverkusen remains on course for the European Cup in the Bundesliga. Between the two round of 16 games in the Europa League against Ferencvaros Budapest and a week before the highlight game against Bayern Munich in the league, the Rhinelanders won 3-2 (1-1) at Werder Bremen on Sunday evening and thus continue to mix in the fight Seventh place, which could end up being enough for the Europa Conference League. Sixth place, where the currently weakened Frankfurters are, is only six points away.
In front of 41,000 spectators in the Weser Stadium, the heavily weakened Bremen team took the lead after half an hour through Marvin Ducksch. Mitchel Bakker (34th minute), Jeremie Frimpong (56th) and Adam Hlozek (83rd) turned the game in favor of Leverkusen before Niclas Füllkrug (86th) scored the final result with a penalty kick.
“We don’t have to lose the game,” commented Duksch on the internet broadcaster DAZN. “We just make too many mistakes at the back,” he criticized his own defence.
Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky said: “That’s a very lucky win in my opinion.” His colleague Jonathan Tah admitted: “Werder made it really difficult for us.”
Exemplary unity
Three days after the 2-0 win over Ferencvaros, Bayer coach Xabi Alonso made five changes to his team. Among other things, Florian Wirtz was rested. The 19-year-old was not even included in the squad because he is slightly injured. “That wasn’t possible for today,” said Bayer Managing Director Simon Rolfes before the game at DAZN. “We’re careful with him.” After all, the midfielder had been out for months due to an injury.
Patrick Schick and Karim Bellarabi were also not part of the squad, but Alonso had shown himself to be self-confident even before the game. “The competition is tough and that gives me enough opportunities for the starting XI on Sunday and looking ahead to next week. I make decisions with foresight,” said the Bayer coach.
The focus of the Rhinelanders is shifting to the Europa League these days. Eintracht Frankfurt, which secured a place in the financially much more lucrative Champions League last year by winning the Europa League, serves as a model. “It’s a good competition. You can win a title quickly,” ex-national player Nadiem Amiri said after the 2-0 win in the round of 16 first leg against Ferencvaros: “You saw last year that Frankfurt can win this thing. Of course, that also appeals to us.”
In Bremen, however, Leverkusen found it difficult to concentrate on everyday league life for a long time. Against the badly battered hosts, who also had to do without the ailing Leonardo Bittencourt for a short time, the offensive faltered enormously at first. Werder took command after a tough start and took the lead through Ducksch, which was not undeserved. But the Werder joy didn’t last long. Just three minutes later, Bakker equalized with a powerful shot.
Even after the change of sides, Werder mostly acted dominantly and had more chances. But Leverkusen scored the decisive goal. Frimpong’s shot was deflected by Werder goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka. The game seemed decided with Hlozek’s goal. But Füllkrug scored from the penalty spot and made the final minutes of the game exciting again.
