Leverkusen increases VfB concerns
Schick’s 19th goal ends the spectacle of the top game
02/12/2022, 8:31 p.m
VfB Stuttgart can’t get away from the places that lead to the second division at the end of the season. Bayer Leverkusen is too strong, but doesn’t play to its strengths properly for a long time. A VfB newcomer scores twice, but Bayer’s top scorer has the last word.
Bayer Leverkusen has stayed on course for the Champions League in the Bundesliga and increased VfB Stuttgart’s worries about relegation. The Werkself beat VfB deservedly 4-2 (1-0) and in third place are already seven points ahead of the Europa League places. Stuttgart has been waiting for a win for seven games and remains penultimate.
Moussa Diaby (41st) gave Leverkusen the lead with his tenth goal of the season. VfB newcomer Tiago Tomas (49th) managed to equalize in the meantime. Amine Adli (52nd) restored the lead of the Rhinelanders, Florian Wirtz (85th) increased. Tomas (88′) scored again for VfB, but Patrik Schick (89′) responded immediately with his 19th goal in the 19th game.
After surviving the Covid 19 infection, Bayer was able to fall back on goalkeeper and captain Lukas Hradecky. Defense chief Jonathan Tah, on the other hand, was temporarily out due to an infection and was replaced by Africa Cup of Nations returnee Edmond Tapsoba. Stuttgart had to do without Egyptian international Omar Marmoush and defender Waldemar Anton, both of whom had tested positive for the corona virus.
The initial phase in front of 10,000 spectators belonged to Leverkusen. After initial cautious approaches from top scorer Schick and Jeremie Frimpong, Piero Hincapie headed wide after a corner (9′). Schick should have achieved the lead they deserved at this point. The Czech EM hero failed from close range at the outer post (13th).
Leverkusen leaves a bit behind
After that, Bayer found it difficult to create further chances against the expected low Stuttgart. Returnee Hradecky only had to run out of the penalty area once to snipe the ball off Chris Führich’s foot with the help of Frimpong (21′). A few minutes later, Tomas hit the bar with a remarkable flick (28′).
The game picked up speed towards the end of the first half. First, the supposed opening goal by young Bayer star Wirtz was disallowed due to an offside position (34′), then two minutes later a powerful shot by the national player was deflected wide of the goal.
After Führich had tested Leverkusen’s Hradecky again, Diaby, the most conspicuous Leverkusen player to date, struck with a lot of willpower. The Frenchman first got stuck on three Stuttgarters, but then grabbed the exposed ball, stayed ice cold in a one-on-one against VfB keeper Florian Müller and shot powerfully into the net.
Stuttgart sent another sign of life right after the break: After a nice interaction between Führich and Orel Mangala, Tomas finished ice cold. But the joy of the VfB fans who had traveled with them was short-lived. After a free kick, Adli, who ran in perfectly, headed the ball into the far corner. Kerem Demirbay with a long-range shot, Adli and Diaby each volley missed the preliminary decision against Swabians who were getting more and more tired. Then it went back and forth in the turbulent final phase.