Own goal saves Leipzig: Leverkusen slip up in top match

The German soccer celebrities made themselves comfortable in the VIP stands, while on the pitch Bayer Leverkusen suffered a setback as Bayern chasers. Despite having the upper hand, a clear lead and numerous chances, the champions were unable to overcome a 2:2 (2:1) draw at RB Leipzig. As a result, the gap to league leaders Munich grew to six points and it was Leipzig's third consecutive winless game in the Bundesliga.

Patrik Schick (18th minute) - himself in a Leipzig shirt in the 2019/20 season - confirmed his run with the lead for the visitors. Aleix Garcia (36') increased the lead for the double winners before David Raum (41') made it exciting again with a set-piece. Finally, the 46,793 fans even saw Leipzig equalize with an own goal from Edmond Tapsoba (85').

From Nagelsmann to Čeferin

All kinds of soccer decision-makers were in the VIP stands. Anyone who was still in the mood for a spring-like day in Leipzig after the DFB's 125th birthday gala on Friday apparently managed to gain admission to the top match: national coach Julian Nagelsmann, who has just signed a contract until 2028, sports director Rudi Völler, DFB president Bernd Neuendorf, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin and RB supervisory board member Oliver Mintzlaff.

The bosses saw a capital misplaced pass from Granit Xhaka, which fortunately for Bayer went unpunished. The veteran put the ball right at the feet of Xavi Simons in his own penalty area (11'), but his finish was too imprecise. Leipzig tried to match Leverkusen's level, but were too hesitant and simple-minded. Virtually every attack was played out via the left flank with Simons and Raum.

Wirtz set up two goals

The Leverkusen lead was just a logical consequence of their better play. Ex-Leipzig player Nordi Mukiele broke through in the center circle with what looked like a handball. The ball reached Wirtz, who outpaced two Leipzig players and hit the post with his finish. But Schick was there and only had to keep his foot out.

Leipzig's defense was sometimes careless. Wirtz, for example, was given several meters of space near the penalty area after 30 minutes. The shooting star's shot was just deflected onto the post by RB keeper Peter Gulacsi. Six minutes later, however, even the Hungarian was powerless. Arthur Vermeeren fumbled the ball in his own penalty area to Wirtz, who set up Garcia, who was ready to shoot. The goal was reviewed again, the Leipzig area felt Wirtz had been fouled in front of goal - but the VAR saw it differently. Goal.

Raum furious

Raum was furious - and he himself made sure the result was corrected. The international was lucky to see his free-kick from 20 meters deflected into the goal by Piero Hincapie. It brought back memories of the first leg, when Leipzig turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win - Leverkusen's only defeat in 52 Bundesliga games.

However, Bayer came very close to scoring a third goal immediately after the break. Wirtz again dribbled effortlessly into the penalty area and played Exequiel Palacios (47) into the middle. But his finish was cleared off the line by Raum. RB coach Rose reacted and substituted both central midfielders. Nicolas Seiwald and Amadou Haidara replaced Vermeeren and Kevin Kampl.

What Leipzig continued to lack, however, was bright ideas against the very compact and largely commanding Leverkusen defense. Bayer relied almost exclusively on counter-attacks and were dangerous most of the time. Palacios (63) was again on target after Wirtz's pass, but his shot was too central. A minute later, Wirtz hit the post once again. Just three minutes later, Hincapie failed to take advantage of a clear chance.

In soccer, this kind of thing is punished. And Bayer did it themselves. After a free-kick from Simons, Christoph Baumgartner and Tapsoba went for the ball and it fell unstoppably from the Leverkusen player's head into his own goal.