BAYER LEVERKUSEN CHAPIONS LEAGUE PLACE WELL CEMENTED AFTER WIN OVER FRANKFURT.
Bayer Leverkusen took a huge step towards qualification for the UEFA Champions League after a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. Oliver Glasner’s men are now winless in their last five league games, as their European exploits take a toll on their Bundesliga form.
In 73 previous meetings in the Bundesliga, there had never been a goalless draw in this fixture. After a cagey opening, the fans in the BayArena may have feared that streak would end, but a fearsome counter-attack from ‘Die Werkself’ ended any worries. Patrik Schick showed his incredible quality with a glorious flick to set Moussa Diaby away down the right, before the Frenchman produced a sublime outside-of-the-foot ball to find Paulinho. The Brazilian’s finish was not the sweetest of strikes, but Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin failed to Trapp the ball between his legs.
Gerardo Seoane’s men pushed for a second, something they’ve managed in seven of their previous 10 games on home soil. Schick thought he’d continued that trend, only for his strike to be ruled out for offside. Moments later, Robert Andrich spurned a huge chance to double the lead, skewing his shot wide after another quick break.
Schick, the hosts’ talisman, would not be denied a second time soon after the interval as he doubled Leverkusen’s lead. Diaby slotted the Czech international in, and he finished with aplomb, netting for the 22nd time this Bundesliga season. Two assists on the night for Diaby saw him join Christopher Nkunku as the only players to reach double figures for goals scored and created this term.
With the ‘Eagles’ focused on their UEFA Europa League semi-final clash with West Ham in midweek, Leverkusen had few troubles in seeing out yet another victory on home soil. The BayArena is proving a fortress, with Seoane’s side losing just two of their last 11 clashes there, scoring two or more on eight occasions. Defeat for RB Leipzig elsewhere opened up a four-point gap for Leverkusen to the chasing pack, with just two games to go in an enthralling Bundesliga season.
