Stand: 01.09.2024, 07:36
PressSplit
With a 2:3 defeat against RB Leipzig, Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga series ends. An early 2:0 lead is not enough.
Leverkusen – Bayer Leverkusen’s super series in the Bundesliga is over! The reigning champions had to admit defeat in the top match against RB Leipzig with 2:3 and thus lose their aura of invincibility after 35 Bundesliga games – or after 462 days – in the league.
Bayer’s mega series ends after 462 days
In front of 30,000 spectators in the BayArena, Leverkusen initially had control and led 2-0 thanks to goals from Jeremie Frimpong (39th) and Alejandro Grimaldo (45th).
But shortly before half-time, RB Leipzig surprisingly scored a goal through Kevin Kampl in the seventh minute of injury time to make it 1:2. In the second half, Leipzig even turned the game around thanks to a brace from Lois Openda (57th, 80th) and secured the win.
RB star Openda with a brace
The premature recall of RB coach Marco Rose to the stadium stands was a bitter blow from the Saxons’ point of view. He was shown a yellow-red card in the 26th minute for repeated complaining. Ultimately, however, this did not prevent RB from undermining Leverkusen’s legendary run.
This brings to an end Bayer Leverkusen’s impressive streak at national level, which stretches back to May 27, 2023 (0-3 defeat in Bochum).
The game was also marked by emotional moments off the pitch: before kick-off, the fans and players remembered Leverkusen legend Christoph Daum with a minute’s silence. Daum died on August 24th as a result of lung cancer. (dpa/chmnn)
