Updated27. April 2024, 8:47 p.m
Bundesliga: Despite Xhaka being suspended: Leverkusen madness in stoppage time
Bayer Leverkusen had to play against Stuttgart on Saturday without the suspended Granit Xhaka. The champions equalized at the last second.
von
-
In the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen hosted VfB Stuttgart on Saturday evening.
-
The German champions got a draw at the last second.
-
Nati captain Granit Xhaka was missing due to a yellow card suspension.
Bayer Leverkusen remained unbeaten in 45 competitive games before the duel against VfB Stuttgart. Thanks to a 2-2 draw in injury time, we now have a 46th game. This was despite Granit Xhaka missing due to suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card in Dortmund the previous week.
Against third-placed VfB, everything looked like Leverkusen’s first defeat of the season. The German national players Chris Führich (47th) and Deniz Undav (57th) gave Stuttgart a 2-0 lead. But then Amine Adli (61′) shortened the lead before Robert Andrich (90+6) saved the series again with a last-minute goal. Pure Leverkusen madness. The previous week, Leverkusen had equalized in stoppage time in Dortmund.
Missed points record
Leverkusen is on the way to an undefeated season, but will miss FC Bayern’s points record. The Xhaka team can only get 90 points at best. Bayern scored 91 points in the 2012/13 season.
The first season without defeat is still possible for the German champions after 31 league games and a total of 46 competitive games and a year with various records. On Thursday, coach Xabi Alonso’s team has to play in the semi-finals of the Europa League at AS Roma. Then again with Granit Xhaka in the team.
Alonso didn’t see Xhaka’s loss as a big problem
The Nati captain saw the comeback against Stuttgart from outside. Before the game, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso regretted the absence of his chief strategist for the first time, but did not see it as a major problem.
The Spaniard said: “I am tranquillo, I am calm.” Granit has had a big influence on the team and has played with great personality in the last few months, Alonso continued. But: “I have confidence in the squad that we can play well even without him.”
Are you already following 20 minutes of sports on Whatsapp?
Stay informed about the sports world and subscribe to the Whatsapp channel 20 Minutes Sport: Then you will receive regular updates with our best sports stories directly to your cell phone.