Goal-scorer Schick leads Leverkusen to another home win

Led by top scorer Patrik Schick, Bayer Leverkusen also won its second home game of the new Bundesliga season. The Werkself prevailed 2-0 (1-0) in their matchup against RB Leipzig and head into the three-week international break with seven points. RB Leipzig and coach Martín Demichelis, on the other hand, are still waiting for their first away points of the new Bundesliga season after two losses on the road.

Patrik Schick (44th minute) and Miguel Gutiérrez (57th) scored the goals for Leverkusen in front of 29,573 spectators. Forward Schick has now scored once in each of the first four league matchdays.

Minute of silence and black armbands for Hermann

Before kickoff, both teams observed a minute of silence in memory of longtime Leverkusen player, assistant coach, and interim head coach Peter Hermann, following the news of his death the previous evening. The Werkself fans displayed a choreographed banner reading “A loyal soul of soccer—Rest in peace, Peter Hermann.” The players took the field wearing black armbands.

The visitors from Leipzig sought to control the game from the opening whistle and initially dominated play. A free kick by David Raum (8th minute) from midfield marked the Saxons’ first foray toward the Werkself’s goal. Shortly thereafter, Leipzig’s Ezechiel Banzuzi had the first shot of the match, but Leverkusen goalkeeper Mark Flekken was able to confidently stop the midfielder’s low shot from distance. 

DFB-nominated Gruda forced out with an injury

Leverkusen repeatedly responded to the visitors’ more active opening phase with small scoring opportunities created by quick, incisive attacking plays. Gutiérrez and Afonso Moreria narrowly missed a cross from Jarell Quansah (13th minute). Another cross from Quansah landed at the feet of Aleix Garcia after a clearance by Willi Orban, but Garcia’s shot (19th minute) sailed well over the goal.

Midway through the first half, Leipzig suffered their first setback. Brajan Gruda, who had been called up to the national team by new head coach Jürgen Klopp, had to be substituted due to injury. The 22-year-old attacking player appeared to be experiencing issues with his abdominal muscles on the right side above the hip. 

Schick Scores to Take the Lead

Even without Gruda, however, the Saxons remained the more active team. An attack involving Romulo and Nusa found its way to Christopher Nkunku shortly afterward, who slotted the ball home to give Leipzig what appeared to be the lead (34th minute). However, the video referee disallowed the goal due to Nkunku being offside.

After another offensive push by the otherwise less active Leverkusen team, the ball suddenly found the back of the net on the other side just before halftime. Striker Schick burst in from behind the Leipzig defense following a cross from Gutiérrez and, at full speed, fired the ball into the Saxons’ net with his right foot (44'). 

Leipzig defensive error leads to 2-0

In the second half, another Leverkusen attack following an unfortunate mistake by the Leipzig defense resulted in the second goal for the Werkself. A cross from Maza slipped past defensive leader Orban, whose visibly surprised teammate Ridle Baku cleared the ball straight to Gutiérrez’s feet. The Spaniard fired a left-footed shot that slipped through the arms of Leipzig goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt (58'), who didn’t exactly cover himself in glory. 

Leipzig appeared visibly shaken by the second goal and failed to create any clear scoring chances for the remainder of the second half. On the other hand, Leverkusen continued to pose a threat, but the Werkself were unable to score a third goal.