3-0 against Bayern – Werkself win top-of-the-table clash

Head coach Xabi Alonso made four changes to the team that started in the 3-2 victory over VfB Stuttgart in the DFB Cup in midweek. Lukas Hradecky returned in goal at the expense of Matej Kovar, while Josip Stanisic, Nathan Tella and Amine Adli replaced Jeremie Frimpong, Jonas Hofmann and Patrik Schick. 

lively werkself take early lead

In the primetime clash at the BayArena, which was again sold out, Leverkusen began with alert and strong defensive work. The visitors from Munich had more of the ball in the early stages but failed to threaten. The Black-and-Reds, in contrast, repeatedly managed to gain possession and also created the first notable attempt on the counter in the 11th minute, but Manuel Neuer saved from Adli. Seven minutes later, the hosts made the breakthrough when Robert Andrich cut inside and slipped the ball inside. Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano failed to clear the ball, allowing Stanisic to smash in the opening goal at the far post. Bayer 04 now had control of the match and had further chances through Tella's first-time effort, Florian Wirtz's rebound and Jonathan Tah's header, but Neuer was on hand every time (23').

The visitors found it increasingly difficult to find openings against the Leverkusen rearguard, while the Werkself remained hungry for goals and had promising opportunities through an Adli header (37') and a long-distance shot from Piero Hincapie (42'). However, FCB didn't allow themselves to get rattled and kept the lead to one goal at the interval.

Grimaldo promptly adds

The Werkself gained the better foothold after the restart and were immediately dangerous again. Tella and Alejandro Grimaldo played a one-two midway inside the Bayern half which cut open the defence, and the Spaniard ran free on goal before hammering the ball under the crossbar to make it 2-0 (50'). For the rest of the game, it was still Alonso's men who fashioned almost all of the chances - Grimaldo almost scored again directly from a corner in the 64th minute. One minute later, Adli set up Tella with a through ball, but the latter hit the side-netting from a tight angle. Substitute Frimpong had the next chance after good play from Granit Xhaka, but the Dutchman fired wide (73').

In the closing minutes, Bayer 04 focused on maintaining their defensive solidity - with success, as Bayern failed to register any notable chances despite making a number of substitutions. Shortly before full time, Hofmann set up Frimpong, whose effort hit the woodwork. He did eventually get his goal in the fifth minute of added time, though. After Neuer went up for a corner, the Werkself cleared and went on the counter, with Frimpong despatching the ball into the empty net to spark deafening celebrations at the BayArena. That was the last kick of the game and crowned a home win in the big match against title rivals Bayern.

next up: trip to heidenheim

On Matchday 22, the Werkself visit 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday 17 February. Kick-off at the Voith-Arena is at 15:30 CET.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Hradecky  – Stanisic, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie – Xhaka, Andrich – Tella (Frimpong 65'), Wirtz (Hlozek 90'), Grimaldo (Puerta 90') – Adli (Hofmann 82')

FC Bayern: Neuer – Upamecano (Kimmich 60'), Dier, Kim – Boey, Pavlovic (Müller 60'), Goretzka (Tel 71'), Mazraoui – Sané, Musiala (Choupo-Moting 81') – Kane

Goals: 1-0 Stanisic (18'), 2-0 Grimaldo (50'), 3-0 Frimpong (90'+5)

Yellow cards:  Tapsoba, Adli, Hradecky / Boey, Goretzka

Referee: Felix Zwayer (Berlin)

Attendance: 30,210 (sellout) at the BayArena