Bayer’s record series holds: Leverkusen scores late again, VfB criticizes Zwayer

The survivors from Leverkusen also avoided defeat against Stuttgart deep into stoppage time – and VfB is angry with referee Zwayer.

With the last action of a furious game, Robert Andrich (90th + 6) ensured Leverkusen’s 2-2 (0-0) draw against VfB and thus their 46th game without defeat in all competitions. The German national players Chris Führich (47th) and Deniz Undav (57th) scored the VfB goals, Amine Adli (61st) scored Leverkusen’s goal on matchday 31 of the Bundesliga.

Bayer had already scored late the previous week in the 1-1 draw in Dortmund and in many other games of this historically strong season. “Of course you always believe in it, but when it happens you also think: ‘That can’t be true'”, Andrich said in the Sportschau interview. “That’s an indication of what kind of team we are and that every day, even if we already have the championship, we want it to the end.”

Hoeneß criticizes Zwayer

However, the goal was controversial. “In my opinion it shouldn’t have been there,” VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß told Sportschau. He pointed out Victor Boniface’s use of an elbow before the decisive free kick and the Leverkusen attacker’s duel behavior after the free kick cross. “He pushes the player away with outstretched arms, preventing him from getting a header. And then of course the ball goes to the arm. We have three situations within 15 or 20 seconds that are whistled in one direction.”

Above all, Hoeneß criticized the fact that Zwayer did not check the scene on the screen. “The goal is crucial because I’m waiting for him to look at it.”

Handball before Andrich’s goal?

At least when it came to the alleged handball, Zwayer was right. After the free kick cross, the ball bounced off Piero Hincapie’s arm at Andrich’s feet. It was an unintentional handball, which is only punishable in the run-up to a goal if the goalscorer himself commits it. This was not the case here.

Hoeneß also blamed Zwayer for the unrest in the game. “Of course you have the highest demands on a referee who gets to play all the top games and can now also referee at the European Championships. Then there is also the expectation that you will be able to make the game a little less heated.”

Undav is also annoyed with the referee

VfB attacker Undav became even clearer. “If I said what I had in my head, I would be suspended. It wasn’t the best performance from the referee. I think 95 percent was against us. I have no idea why he whistled so one-sidedly. I think He didn’t want a miracle to happen today or for Leverkusen to suffer their first defeat.”

Leverkusen without Xhaka and Wirtz

Leverkusen started the game with more momentum without Granit Xhaka (suspended) and the rested Florian Wirtz (initially on the bench), but the first big opportunity belonged to Stuttgart. Serhou Guirassy had a completely free header from six meters and narrowly missed the goal – the goalscorer had rarely missed such big opportunities this season.

Leverkusen were the slightly better team afterwards and almost scored after half an hour. Alejandro Grimaldo’s shot bounced off Alexander Nübel’s chest and Patrik Schick shot the rebound over the goal. At halftime, Bayer had an 8-2 lead in shots on goal.

Führich and Undav meet

But immediately after the break, Stuttgart struck. Grimaldo misjudged a long pass so that Jamie Leweling was through on the half-right. Lukas Hradecky deflected his shot onto the post and Führich made the most of the difficult rebound.

Shortly afterwards, Undav made it 2-0, but was lucky that his goal wasn’t taken back. Beforehand, he had pulled his national team colleague Andrich by the arm, so that the Leverkusen player’s attempt to free himself failed. Just four minutes later, Guirassy should have scored the next goal, but he missed his second big chance (60th).

Huge double save from Nübel

The Werkself remained courageous and the connection followed promptly, Adli scored precisely from the left half through the legs of Waldemar Anton into the right corner. Shortly afterwards, Nübel saved VfB’s lead with a strong double save against Amine Adli and Jonas Hofmann (65th).

The game was now really fast-paced, which was mainly due to Leverkusen, who fought against the defeat with all their might. With a quarter of an hour to go, coach Xabi Alonso brought on Wirtz and Victor Boniface.

Handball before Andrich’s last-minute goal

Guirassy missed a third big chance (87th) and the Stuttgart fans were already getting ready to celebrate in stoppage time – but then Leverkusen received one last free kick from the half field. Andrich took care of the next party evening in the Leverkusen Arena from the crowd.

Stuttgart now against Bayern

Stuttgart now has to play against record champions Munich (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.). Leverkusen has the semi-final first leg in the Europa League at AS Roma (Thursday, 9 p.m.) and then plays in the league against Frankfurt (Sunday, 5:30 p.m.).