Nine-men Bayern avoid defeat in Leverkusen

The Bayern Munich fans will be furious with today’s score in Leverkusen, while all other football fans will be thrilled after a 1-1 score between Bayer and Bayern. For months now, the Bavarians are so strong that their Bundesliga games are often boring to everyone accept their own fans. Apart from a few games (four draws, one defeat) the Munich team always wins and usually by a large margin, so the excitement factor never exists. But today, there was plenty of excitement, chances and VAR decisions to satisfy any football fan. Bayer was in dire need of all three points due to their Champions League race and will be disappointing they didn’t get it, considering the had two man more on the field and missed three sitters.

Not only did Leverkusen scored early, but the guests were one man down after Jackson’s clumsy tackle in the 42nd minute. The home team has numerous chances on the counter attack in the second half but missed them all, only to see 10-men Bayern equalize. And then Luis Diaz got the second yellow card, giving Leverkusen even bigger chance to win, but their injury time goal was denied due to offside.

Leverkusen didn’t waste time and scored after only six minutes. Culbreath nicked the ball off Díaz and played it to Schick, who went forward before slipping in García. He took the ball past Kimmich into the box, before slamming an effort past Ulreich with the help of a deflection from Tah. Former Bayer captain scored the equalizer in the 26th minute, but since he incidentally handballed, the goal was denied. Culbreath’s shot went narrowly wide in the 32nd minute before Nikolas Jackson changed the game completely. Senegal forward made a late tackle on Terrier and VAR confirmed it was worth a red card.

Leverkusen decided to let Bayern attack in the second half and concentrate on counter-attacks, but their players were not concentrated. Tillman and Schick both had excellent chances but the first one took a shot near the post while the other allowed Ulreich to save his shot in a one-on-one situation. Harry Kane was introduced in the in the 61st minute and scored after only 20 seconds on the field! It was a double mistake, from both keeper Blaswich and Quansah, which allowed Diaz to assist Kane. But, after a long VAR review it was ruled that the England’s captain handballed and the goal was denied. Lever had another chance before they got punished for all those misses. Andrich played a blind pass in his own half and the ball came to Olise. He found Luis Díaz on the far side, who took a touch into the box before slotting past Blaswich. Just three minutes after, Bayer keeper saved his team from a total turnover when he saved Olise’s shot. Diaz went down in the penalty area but the referee thought he dived and gave him the second yellow card. VAR showed there was a contact with the Bayer keeper, but VAR cannot intervene when a yellow card was given so Diaz had to leave. Hofmann scored what was supposed to be a winner in the 94th minute, but it was ruled out as an offside.

There was no such drama in Dortmund, where the home team routinely defeated Augsburg and cemented their second place in Bundesliga. Borussia had numerous chances and still won only 2-0. The hosts scored one goal and missed at least four excellent chances in the first half. Beier assisted and Adeyemi scored from pressure, but both shots were deflected by Augsburg defenders in the 13th minute. Adeyemi hit the bar in the 29th minute, while Beier also had two more opportunities but somehow Augsburg managed to save their net. The game was effectively over in the 59th minute when Italian youngster Reggiani scored his maiden goal after only four appearances in Bundesliga. Ryerson delivered the ball from corner and Reggiani’s header went in.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 26

Friday

Monchengladbach - St. Pauli 2-0 (1-0)

/Stoger 37, Honorat 63/

Saturday

Dortmund - Augsburg 2-0 (1-0)

/Adeyemi 13, Reggiani 59/

Eintr.Frankfurt - Heidenheim 1-0 (0-0)

/Kalimuendo 53

Hoffenheim - Wolfsburg 1-1 (0-0)

/Promel 83 - Koulierakis 64/

Leverkusen - Bayern 1-1 (1-0)

/Garcia 6 - Diaz 69/

20.30: (2.15) Hamburger (3.45) Koln (3.35)

Sunday

17.30: (2.35) Werder (3.50) Mainz (3.15)

19.30: (2.15) Freiburg (3.30) Union Berlin (3.50)

21.30: (2.35) Stuttgart (3.90) RB Leipzig (2.90)

***odds are subject to change***