Enlarge image
Header duel between Robert Andrich and Hamadi Al Ghaddioui
Photo: Tim Rehbein/RHR-FOTO / imago images/RHR-Foto
Bayer Leverkusen won 4-2 (1-0) against VfB Stuttgart in Saturday evening's 22nd matchday game.
The Leverkusen goals were scored by Moussa Diaby (41st minute), Amine Adli (52nd), Florian Wirtz (85th) and Patrik Schick (90th), Stuttgart's goalscorer was Tiago Tomás (49th and 88th).
5-1 against Augsburg, 5-2 in Dortmund – Bayer Leverkusen had shown themselves hungry for goals in the last two Bundesliga games.
Nevertheless, coach Gerardo Seoane changed his starting eleven to three positions: Lukáš Hrádecký returned to the Bayer goal after his corona infection, Edmond Tapsoba replaced Jonathan Tah and Adli started for Karim Bellarabi.
Pascal Stenzel, Atakan Karazor and winter signing Tomás moved into the starting line-up for the guests.
Post Schick, Latte Tomás
VfB, who were still without a win this calendar year, concentrated on the defensive against the in-form Leverkusen side.
Bayer had the ball and Bayer had chances: In the 13th minute Diaby started a nice solo and passed it to Schick, but the Czech shot just hit the post.
If no goals wanted to be scored, then at least the equalization with the aluminum hits: Stuttgart's Tomás created a little space with a quick movement in the left half of the penalty area and hit the crossbar with his attempt into the far corner (28th).
Adli countered the Stuttgart equalizer
VfB is now playing along – and has been punished.
Diaby's first shot attempt was blocked with a combined effort, but the ball fell in front of his feet again and on the second attempt he shot past Florian Müller under the bar (41').
Goals continued straight after the break: First Tomás equalized from a tight angle (49'), then Adli brought Bayer back into the lead with a header from a free kick (52').
VfB were a bit off the mark after the quick setback, Wirtz made it 3-1 (85').
In a wild final phase, Tomás reduced the lead again (88') before Schick made it 4-2 (90').
Bayer is the best team of the second half of the season and remains third, VfB remains four points behind the relegation rank in 17th place.
