Bayer Leverkusen wins 3-1 at RB Leipzig

Runner-up RB Leipzig simply does not get consistency in their performances and deservedly lost 1: 3 (0: 2) in the Bundesliga against Bayer Leverkusen. Four days after the 5-0 win at Club Bruges, the team, which was again supervised by assistant coach Achim Beierlorzer, was unrecognizable and was already behind at halftime with goals from Bayer duo Florian Wirtz (21st minute) and Moussa Diaby (34th). André Silva (62nd) shortened, but Jeremie Frimpong (64th) made the decision shortly afterwards.

In the 88th minute, Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai hit the post with a hand penalty. Due to the defeat, RB missed jumping onto a Champions League place and overtaking Leverkusen.

Due to the corona regulation of Saxony, which was valid until December 12, Leipzig had to play a home game without an audience for the first time since May 16 (2: 2 against Wolfsburg). Club boss Oliver Mintzlaff showed understanding in view of the Saxon corona numbers, but still saw a distortion of competition, as Leipzig is currently the only Bundesliga club affected. “It is definitely a disadvantage and it affects us not only economically, but possibly also athletically. You have to play big games in the empty stadium, where a lot is at stake, ”said the 46-year-old at Dazn. The fans will also have to stay out against Manchester City on December 7th.

Four days after the 5-0 party in the sold-out stadium of Club Bruges, RB experienced the contrast program in their own arena – and couldn’t cope with it at all. Grip, mentality and commitment did not fit, although Beierlorzer, who was on the line for coach Jesse Marsch, who was suffering from corona, had bet on his winning team from Belgium.

Leverkusen had an easy game over Diaby and Amine Adli. After just eight minutes, the ball was in the Leipzig net when Diaby completed a counterattack. Before that, however, Adli was sidelined, which referee Benjamin Cortus saw after the video referee intervened. The best chance for Leipzig had defender Josko Gvardiol (16.) in the first half, who was completely free after a corner but from a good eight meters away.

Leverkusen, on the other hand, was freezing. A long ball from Exequiel Palacios landed at Wirtz, who completed without any problems. The second gate was almost a copy. This time the long ball came from Jonathan Tah, which Diaby sensationally accepted and scored a valid goal. Beierlorzer reacted tactically before the break and took striker Brian Brobbey off the field for Szoboszlai in the 43rd minute. This made Silva the only RB tip.

Just two minutes after the Leverkusen connection, Leverkusen made it 3-1

As a result, the lawn ball athletes from Leipzig acted much more purposefully and aggressively. Konrad Laimer’s (48th) shot was defused by Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky. Understandably, the guests turned to the counterattack and showed a certain degree of negligence. After a shot by Adli, the ex-Leipzig Patrik Schick (51.) came free to the header, but carried the ball towards the corner flag. Robert Andrich (58th) thrashed over the ball completely free from close range.

Beierlorzer reacted again, switched to the back three on the defensive. That paid off immediately. The now more offensive full-back Angeliño passed on Christopher Nkunku, whose cross landed on the head of Silva, who hit the connection. The joy lasted exactly two minutes, however.

Then Frimpong was completely free in the Leipzig penalty area, Angeliño deflected his shot untenable. Diaby (72nd) then had the chance to score his second goal, but hit the post from a tight angle. When Leipzig’s Szoboszlai failed with a hand penalty on the post shortly before the end, the RB defeat was sealed. (dpa)