Head coach Xabi Alonso made four changes to the team that started Tuesday’s win at Bayern Munich. Lukas Hradecky returned in goal for Matej Kovar, Arthur at right-back for Nordi Mukiele, Aleix Garcia for Robert Andrich in midfield and Nathan Tella for Jeremie Frimpong in attack.
The Werkself made the perfect start at the BayArena as Granit Xhaka’s ball through to Wirtz opened things up, with the Germany international dribbling past a couple of defenders before picking out the near bottom corner from the left of goal with only seven minutes gone. And Leverkusen took their second chance of note as well when Tah headed in Garcia’s corner at the far post. The hosts continued to dominate after that, with Pauli focusing on keeping things tight. Their first notable opportunity turned into a simple save for Hradecky from Oladapo Afolayan.
At the other end, Wirtz continued to cause problems, but again it was Xhaka with a telling pass, this time to Tella, who went around goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj and tapped in. However, the goal was chalked off on review for offside as it remained 2-0 at the break.
The visitors from Hamburg had the first chance after the restart when Guilavogui just missed connecting with a cross to the far post. But Leverkusen soon regained control of the game and looked to add a third when Wirtz tried to tee up Tella on the break, which came to nothing.
Tella again had the ball in the net in the closing minutes, but again the goal was taken back by referee Matthias Jöllenbeck because of a foul. Guilavogui then finally got Pauli on the scoreboard when he fired in under the crossbar from left of goal. Alonso’s men were able to see out the result, though, to make it five straight wins across all competitions.
The Werkself have another big game on Tuesday as Inter Milan come to Leverkusen for Matchday 6 of the league phase in the UEFA Champions League. Kick-off at the BayArena is at 9pm CET.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie – Arthur, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo (Belocian 78') – Palacios (Frimpong 60'), Wirtz (Terrier 78') – Tella (Andrich 87')
St. Pauli: Vasilj – Saliakas (Ritzka 89'), Wahl, Smith, Nemeth (Dzwigala 89'), Treu – Irvine, Boukhalfa (Sinani 78') – Afolayan (Ahlstrand 82'), Eggestein (Albers 89'), Guilavogui
Goals: 1-0 Wirtz (7'), 2-0 Tah (22'), 2-1 Guilavogui (84')
Yellow cards: Hincapie – Guilavogui, Saliakas, Dzwigala
Referee: Matthias Jöllenbeck
Attendance: 30,210 (sold out) at the BayArena
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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