Bundesliga
Leverkusen unimpressed by Leipzig
Bayer Leverkusen wins in Leipzig after falling behind twice. photo
© Jan Woitas/dpa
Again injury time, again the winning goal. Bayer Leverkusen demonstrated mental strength in Leipzig and won after being behind twice.
Jonas Hofmann was aware of the importance of the next last-minute win. Lay twice Bayer Leverkusen was behind at RB Leipzig, the Bundesliga leaders came back twice and won in stoppage time.
“To be able to stand up to this and survive here is, in my opinion, an exclamation mark and we’ll take that with us,” said the 31-year-old. After 18 games, Leverkusen still hasn’t lost. “Many people certainly believed we would have our first defeat today,” said Hofmann. “It’s crazy that we can survive here too.”
Mental strength is key
One key is mental strength. With great effort, Leverkusen fought to equalize through Nathan Tello shortly after the break, only to be countered mercilessly less than ten minutes later and fall behind again. “I just think that we are not impressed by backlogs,” said Hofmann. He never had the impression that this upset her.
A circumstance that Leverkusen has developed. “It’s more than just a flow, they’re doing it very, very well,” said Leipzig sports director Rouven Schröder. “You have to say clearly, it’s simply their quality. They have the right to continue playing their game even when they’re behind. That’s no coincidence.”
Destiny in your own hands
In the championship duel with Bayern Munich, Leverkusen still has its fate in its own hands. The second win in stoppage time in a row should only increase their confidence. The wood from which a master is carved? Sports director Simon Rolfes didn’t want to record the ball on the Sky microphone: “I don’t know. But it’s a wood that is very stubborn and resilient.”
The only downer is the impending loss of Jeremie Frimpong. The full-back – one of the most important pillars in the league with five goals and seven assists – had to leave the field injured after half an hour. Coach Xabi Alonso said it probably wasn’t that bad. Frimpong is scheduled to be examined on Sunday and Monday.