22nd matchday
Bayer still undefeated: Leverkusen puts Bayern under pressure
Leverkusen took the lead in Heidenheim: Jeremie Frimpong (l). photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
After the 3-0 win against FC Bayern, league leaders Leverkusen are making things exciting in Heidenheim. But the title contender sets a record and secures three points in the race for the championship.
With an equalized record, Bundesliga leader Bayer Leverkusen has it FC Bayern came under even more pressure. Coach Xabi Alonso’s still unbeaten title aspirant narrowly won 2-1 (1-0) at 1. FC Heidenheim and thus extended their lead over the German record champions to eight points, at least temporarily.
The efficient Leverkusen team remained undefeated for the 32nd time in a row across all competitions and equaled FC Bayern’s record. The Munich team managed such a series between December 2019 and September 2020. With another game without defeat, Leverkusen can now claim the record against FSV Mainz 05 next weekend.
A week after the strong signal with the 3-0 win in the top game against Bayern, Jeremie Frimpong’s goal (45th + 2) ushered in the success in Heidenheim with the only really dangerous goal chance of the first half. Amine Adli increased (81′). Tim Kleindienst’s goal ensured tension until the end (87′).
Coach Frank Schmidt’s newcomer, previously unbeaten in eight games, suffered their first defeat in the Bundesliga since the beginning of December.
Bayer coach Alonso had warned of what could be the most difficult away task of the season. And the first division newcomer once again proved to be an uncomfortable opponent in front of 15,000 spectators – including Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann. Leverkusen had significantly more of the game and most of the action took place in the hosts’ half. However, there were no dangerous chances to score for almost the entire half.
The Heidenheimers defended skillfully and passionately. When everything actually looked as if the two teams would go into the locker room goalless, the first in the table struck with the last action before the break. Frimpong converted after a deflected cross pass from the left from Adli. Florian Wirtz had previously initiated the action that ensured the lead.
Heidenheimer concentrated on defensive work and remained too imprecise in his relief attacks. Tim Kleindienst finished on the turn, but the ball flew well over (36′).
The second half began with a loud whistle concert with which the fans in the stands expressed their protest against the planned investor entry into the German Football League. On the pitch, the agile Frimpong in particular tried to score the second goal. However, his shot went over first (51′), the next attempt ten minutes later whizzed just wide to the left.
Given the close result, a draw remained possible for the increasingly courageous hosts. Hincapie had to save from Kleindienst (66th), defender Benedikt Gimber tested Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky shortly afterwards. On the other side, Wirtz hammered the ball onto the crossbar (77th) and then made it 2-0 with a fine pass to Adli in the penalty area. Heidenheim didn’t give up – Kleindienst’s headed goal wasn’t enough to cause a surprise in the end.