Convincing victory in Augsburg: Leverkusen is increasingly in championship mode

Towards the end of the year the champions are on their way. In Augsburg, Bayer 04 Leverkusen leaves no stone unturned and reduces the gap to league leaders Bayern Munich. In the penultimate game of the year, Martin Terrier (14th) and Florian Wirtz (40th) scored a 2-0 (2-0) win for Leverkusen in Augsburg.

Coach Xabi Alonso's team celebrated their seventh competitive win in a row and, after Bayern Munich's first league defeat at 1:2 in Mainz, reduced the gap to first place to four points. Augsburg, previously unbeaten in five home games, are in the bottom third of the table with 16 points.

Frimpong cleverly sets up Leverkusen's lead

After the 1-0 win in the Champions League against Inter Milan, Leverkusen started with concentration in Augsburg, dominated the game through possession and counter-pressing – and were ice-cold in front of the goal. When Augsburg offered space for the first time, the guests jumped at the chance. Jeremie Frimpong escaped down the right side, cleverly laid it back to the penalty spot and Terrier shot in down the right to make it 1-0.

For Leverkusen it was already the seventh goal in the opening quarter of an hour. No Bundesliga team has achieved more after 14 match days. As a result, Augsburg was initially barely able to free itself. With almost 70 percent possession of the ball, the guests dominated the game and almost quickly added the second goal thanks to a deflected Tella shot (22nd).

Augsburg's goal doesn't count

In return, Augsburg briefly celebrates the supposed equalizer. But Keven Schlotterbeck (23') was offside when he hit the header from a long free kick. In general, Augsburg didn't get anything towards Lukas Hradecky's goal for a long time. Even when Leverkusen played a little more passively towards the end of the first half, FCA was unable to capitalize on it.

But the German champions reached out again. Wirtz was not properly attacked on the edge of the penalty area when the guests counter-attacked and scored 2-0 from 14 meters through the legs of Chrislain Matsima. Two shots on goal, two goals – Leverkusen were extremely effective in the first 45 minutes.

Leverkusen manages two in the half

In the second half, Leverkusen switched to more control and played a little more waiting. Augsburg had more of the game as a result, but not much happened towards the goal. Only in the final phase did Augsburg's actions towards the goal become a little more compelling, but not really dangerous. Ultimately, the guests confidently kept their clean slate away from home and are the only Bundesliga team unbeaten on a foreign pitch this season.

The Augsburg team will play the last game before the winter break in Kiel (Saturday, December 21st, 2024, 3:30 p.m.). On the evening of the same day, Leverkusen welcomes SC Freiburg for the top game in their home arena (6.30 p.m.).