"It was a really important win for us," said sporting director Simon Rolfes. "We were very comfortable on the ball and that's how we were able to nullify Augsburg." And the FCA captain Daniel Baier clearly recognise the superiority of the Werkself: "We couldn't establish a foothold in the game Leverkusen were clearly better than us and deserved to win."
Even though Leverkusen had never lost to FC Augsburg in the previous 15 Bundesliga meetings, they were aware that the hosts would be in confident mood. A 3-1 win at Europa League semi-finalists Eintracht Frankfurt and a 6-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart are positive signs of the change of coaches from Manuel Baum to Martin Schmidt. Three points against the Werkself would have ensured survival in the top flight in front of their own crowd. Bayer 04 coach Peter Bosz made one change to the side that started against Nürnberg: The injured Leon Bailey was replaced by Lucas Alario who played as a central striker with Kevin Volland moving out to the left flank.
It didn't take long before the first real effort on goal. The Augsburg captain Baier hit a volley from distance only for Lukas Hradecky to tip the well struck shot over the bar (4'). It was good luck the Finn was on his toes. Shortly after that at the other end: In a good move by the Werkself, Mitchell Weiser put Kai Havertz through but Gregor Kobel was easily able to cope with a low drive (10'). Then the hosts had reason to celebrate: From a corner, Danso rose highest to place a header into the corner of the net leaving Hradecky helpless – 1-0 (12').
Bayer 04 were unhappy to accept that with Kevin Volland leading the way. It was brilliant the way the captain received the ball from Charles Aránguiz and then hammered it into the back of the net under the bar (15') – his 14th goal of the season. Five minutes later and the Black and Reds were celebrating again: Sven Bender played an excellent pass out to Weiser on the right flank and his whipped-in cross was forced into the net by Lucas Alario (20'). Everybody thought it was 2-1 to the Werkself. Then VAR intervened and referee Willenborg chalked the goal off as Weiser was marginally offside. Nevertheless, a brilliant move by Leverkusen who were looking to increase the lead. Havertz missed the right moment to shoot after good work by Brandt and Alario ended up firing a volley wide of the target (29') – the lead should have been bigger.
The Werkself were in control of the ball and the game. Above all, the lively Brandt was at the heart of many moves and attacks. The Augsburg keeper Kobel eagerly grabbed the ball from a Brandt cross (37’) and a header from Havertz flew over the bar (39'). Bayer 04 fought back brilliantly after going behind early on and were now clearly the better side. The 1-1 scoreline at the break was rather flattering for Augsburg – particularly after Alario could only hit the bar after a brilliant move involving Brandt and Aránguiz in added time (45+2').
Sven Bender did not return for the second half and his place in central defence was taken by Aleksandar Dragovic. And the Werkself was straight out of the blocks: Volland broke down the left and his cross was met by Havertz and he skilfully connected with the ball with his right foot and sailed over the keeper into the far corner of the net – 2-1 (48') and that was goal number 14 of the season for Havertz. Shortly after that, the Werkself were unlucky for the second time on the night: An own goal by Danso was ruled out by VAR as Tah was offside by the smallest of margins (55').
Neither Tah nor Bayer 04 were put off by the decision. A free kick from Brandt was only parried by Kobel and Tah was on hand to smash the ball into the back of the net to give the Werkself a 3-1 lead (59') - a suitable response indeed! The third goal of the season for the central defender. That strike certainly had an effect on Augsburg and Bayer 04 were able to move the ball around at will and tire out the opposition. Volland put in a shift at both ends of the pitch, full of passion in attack and defence where he won the ball back on number of occasions.
Dominik Kohr was able to come on against his former club in place of Alario (84'). And the Werkself had not finished scoring: A cross from Volland was met by Brandt and he turned the ball into the net to score his fifth goal of the season and make it 4-1 to Leverkusen (88').
Bayer 04 face Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday 32. The game at the BayArena on Sunday 5 May kicks off at 18.00 CET.
Match stats:
FC Augsburg: Kobel – Schmid, Gouweleeuw, Danso (Koo 61'), Stafylidis – Baier – Hahn, Gregoritsch, Khedira, Max (Teigl 81') – Richter (Schieber 71')
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Weiser, Tah, S. Bender (Dragovic 46'), Wendell – Aránguiz, Baumgartlinger, Brandt – Havertz, Alario ( Kohr 84'), Volland
Goals: 1-0 Danso (12’), 1-1 Volland (15’), 1-2 Havertz (48’), 1-3 Tah (59’), 1-4 Brandt (88’)
Referee: Willenborg (Osnabrück)
Booked: Schmid
Attendance: 26,400
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