Bayer Leverkusen 4 – 1 Leipzig
Patrick Schick netted a hat-trick against Leipzig in a crucial Champions League qualification battle, with Spanish duo Aleix García and Grimaldo providing assists.
Patrick Schick scored one of the goals against Leipzig. (FRIEDEMANN VOGEL / EFE)
Leverkusen reignites Champions League hopes.
This Bayer Leverkusen side, though not under Xabi Alonso, is showing immense potential. Kasper Hjulmand has managed to unlock what Ten Hag could not, and the ‘Aspirins’ are now seriously challenging for a Champions League spot next season. In matchday 32, they defeated Leipzig 4-1, with Spaniards Aleix García and Grimaldo providing assists. This victory lifts them to fourth place with 58 points.
Leipzig deserved more, but this Bayer Leverkusen is a counter-attacking machine. The ‘Red Bull’ side had the first chance with a shot from Romulo, but his effort went wide of Flekken’s net. In the 17th minute, Robert Andrich cleared a shot from Antonio Nusa off the line, and Leverkusen grew in confidence.
First, Jarell Quansah joined the attack and fired wide. Then, after a Leipzig chance that ended with the ball going out of play, Flekken played a quick pass to Tella and Maza, and the duo combined for the goal. The Algerian drew the entire defense, and the former Southampton player crossed for Patrick Schick, who finished unmarked.
With a goal in hand, Hjulmand’s team pushed forward and created multiple chances. Vandevoordt saved another counter-attack with a good low save from Tella, and then from Schick. Just before halftime, they made it 2-0. Culbreath broke down the right and won a corner. The initial delivery was cleared, but the ball fell to Aleix García, who delivered a perfect cross for Tella to finish with his left foot. Goal and assist for the Nigerian.
Eight minutes into the second half, Vandevoordt was again at full stretch to deny Schick from a Tella cross. Leipzig’s defense, led by Ole Werner, was being overrun by the Czech ‘cyclone’. Grimaldo had a chance from a direct free kick but sent it over the bar. In the 73rd minute, Schick missed a chance in front of goal while trying to round the keeper, but he didn’t waste the next opportunity. Three passes were all Leverkusen needed for the 3-0 goal: Flekken to Tapsoba, Tapsoba to Maza, and Maza to Schick, who finished with his left foot. Baumgartner pulled one back with a header, but Schick still had energy for more, and Grimaldo provided the assist. The Valencia left-back set him free, and the ‘killer’ made it 4-0. A great win for Bayer Leverkusen, who now sit four points behind Leipzig.
Bundesliga Bayer Leverkusen Leipzig RB Grimaldo Aleix García Bundesliga Leverkusen reignites Champions League hopes Bundesliga Leipzig hands Marie-Louise Eta her second defeat in two games with Union Berlin Bundesliga Leverkusen takes a step back in the Champions League race
