Bayer Leverkusen didn’t let 1. FC Union Berlin stop them in the Bundesliga on Saturday. With the 1-0 (1-0), the Werkself can become German champions for the first time next week against Werder Bremen.
41st competitive game, no defeat for the 41st time – and only one win away from the first championship title in the club’s history: “Of course the situation is great. But we don’t want to celebrate too early. Maybe we can next Sunday, until then we have to be patient have,” said Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso.
Lars Becker, Sportschau, April 6th, 2024 5:52 p.m
Bayer Leverkusen’s incredible run this season also continued at Union Berlin on Saturday (April 6th, 2024). And the stoppage time in the first half was primarily responsible for this.
To the live ticker: Berlin – Leverkusen arrow right 28th matchday arrow right
Leverkusen misses the best chances, Union is lucky
The Werkself had initially dominated the game as expected, winning over 66 percent of ball possession, 6-0 shots on goal and even over 60 percent of the duels in the first 30 minutes – but both Borja Iglesias (17th minute) and Alejandro Grimaldo (28th) missed the best options.
Then some calm returned to the game, Union managed to neutralize the opponent and had a good chance themselves with a header from Robin Gosens into the side netting (36th). But then the game ended after 45 minutes.
Dismissal for Union, penalty and goal for Bayer in stoppage time
After an unnecessary tackle on the edge of the penalty area against Nathan Tella, Gosens was shown a yellow-red card in the third minute of stoppage time. After the following free kick, things became confusing: Leverkusen had four shots on goal, and in the end the ball ended up in the goal after a shot by Odilon Kossounou – but referee Benjamin Brand ruled it offside. According to the video images, there was no free kick for Berlin, but a penalty for Bayer.
Christopher Trimmel deflected Robert Andrich’s attempt with his arm onto the post. Luckily for Trimmel there was no red card. Unfortunately for Union, however, they still went into the second half outnumbered and behind – because Florian Wirtz converted the penalty (45th + 8th).
Only one more win until the end of “Vizekusen”
This paved the way to the next victory. Even before the game there was no longer any doubt that Leverkusen would be crowned champions for the first time this season. Various FC Bayern Munich protagonists had already congratulated the Werkself and declared the title fight over. Technically, that could happen next week – and for that Leverkusen only needs a win against Bremen after Bayern’s 2-3 defeat in Heidenheim.
But coach Alonso’s team could break another mark against Werder. So far, Juventus Turin is the record holder in Europe with 43 competitive games without defeat in 2011 and 2012 – Leverkusen would draw level if there is no defeat against West Ham United in the Europa League on Thursday (April 11, 2024), nor against Bremen.
The “Werkself” completed the task of winning the game in Berlin without much effort in the second half. With the majority, Alonso’s team, with their strength, produced a lackluster result over time and did not have to overcome a difficult situation. Leverkusen no longer had any chances because of their own passivity. But that wasn’t crucial.
Union in Augsburg, Leverkusen against Bremen
Union Berlin opens the next matchday at FC Augsburg on Friday (April 12, 2024, 8:30 p.m.). Leverkusen will not play again until Sunday – in their own stadium against Werder Bremen (5.30 p.m.).