Three points on the Weser, regained the lead in the table: Bayer Leverkusen gave its coach Xabi Alonso a perfect 42nd birthday. The Rhinelanders won confidently 3-0 at Werder Bremen and maintained their invincibility aura this season with their 13th competitive win in a row.
An own goal from Olivier Deman (9th) put Bayer on the road to victory early on. Jeremie Frimpong (43rd) and Alejandro Grimaldo (76th) converted Leverkusen’s superiority into further goals – and also set a record: no team has ever started with at least two goals per game in the first twelve match days. But much more important for Alonso: With the well-deserved success, Leverkusen replaced Bayern Munich (1-0 in Cologne) after one night at the top. The Werkself’s lead is, as usual, two points. Werder, however, remained winless for the third time in a row. Coach Ole Werner’s team has eleven points after twelve games.
“If you want to be a top team, you have to be able to dominate week after week and have the confidence to win away from home. “We are on the right track,” said managing director Simon Rolfes after the game.”
Perfectly set
Alonso said before the game that he expected “a good structure and a clear idea” from Bremen. Nevertheless, according to the Spaniard, “only the three points” counted on his special day. Leverkusen in particular showed a structure and clear idea on Saturday afternoon.
In front of 42,100 spectators in the sold-out Weserstadion, the Werkself once again presented themselves perfectly adjusted by Alonso and determined the pace and rhythm of the game from the start. With enormous calm and security on the ball, the front-runner never really allowed Bremen to develop and put pinpricks forward, seemingly at will.
After just six minutes, the ball hit the net for the first time. After a fine through ball, Victor Boniface went around Werder keeper Michael Zetterer and pushed in, but was previously offside. Three minutes later Bayer took the lead.
An actually harmless half-field cross from Jonas Hofmann fell at Deman’s feet, whose extremely unfortunate attempt to clear the ball ended up in his own goal. As a result, Leverkusen controlled the ball and opponents without shining.
And green and white? Bremen, who started with the same formation for the fourth time in a row, appeared willing, but they didn’t have any significant chances in the entire first half. Instead, Leverkusen followed up shortly before halftime. Frimpong made it 2-0 with a volley from a half-right position after a pass from Hincapie.
Daniel Theweleit, Leverkusen Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 20 Published/Updated: Published/Updated: Published/Updated:
The same picture initially emerged in the second round. But because Bayer primarily managed, Werder became bolder – and had bad luck. A supposed goal from national player Marvin Ducksch was not given. Romano Schmid was just offside when it came to the game (62′). Grimaldo then scored the final point. Justin Njinmah (86th) had Bremen’s consolation goal on his feet, but the substitute striker only hit the crossbar with his powerful shot.
