Bayer Leverkusen – Werder Bremen: Leverkusen’s Chance to Close the Gap Slips Through Their Fingers (0-2)
Bayer Leverkusen had a golden opportunity to close the gap in the title race. Bayern Munich’s shock defeat to VfL Bochum opened the door for Xabi Alonso’s side to make up ground. But instead of seizing the moment, Leverkusen stumbled themselves, suffering an upset against Werder Bremen. With time running out to mount a comeback, their hopes of retaining the Bundesliga title are beginning to fade.
Tactical analysis and match report by Fahd Ahmed.
After suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich a few days earlier in the Champions League first leg, Xabi Alonso’s team had to quickly turn their attention to the league. With an eight-point gap to the league leaders, Bayer Leverkusen are running short of time and opportunities to close the gap. They were presented with one such chance on Saturday when Bayern surprisingly lost to Bochum. However, Leverkusen’s stumble meant that the points difference remained.
Ahead of the match, Alonso made seven changes to the side that played three days prior. In goal, Matěj Kovář was replaced by Lukáš Hrádecký. Edmond Tapsoba featured at center-back instead of Nordi Mukiele, which meant that there was a shift in formation to a back three with a center-back trio, as Piero Hincapié was also benched. At wingback, the usual duo Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong did not feature. Instead, Arthur and Nathan Tella were selected. Exequiel Palacios and Granit Xhaka did not play together again, with the former benched for Aleix García. Up front, Patrick Schick and Emiliano Buendía were chosen ahead of Florian Wirtz.
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