Game of two halves sees Stuttgart and Leverkusen share spoils

By Ultan Corcoran   @UltanCorcoran

First place took on second place this afternoon in the Bundesliga. The hotly anticipated meeting of Stuttgart and Leverkusen finished 1-1.

Photo: Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Stuttgart dominated the opening half and were in fact unlucky not to be further ahead at the break. Aside from Amine Adli’s venomous strike off the upright in the 9th minute, Leverkusen were largely chasing shadows. A rare sight this season.


Lukas Hradecky’s brilliance in goal could only keep the Swabians at bay for so long. A host of saves repelled Undav, Guirassy, and Fuhrich throughout the half. However, the latter would not be foiled in the 40th minute when the scoreboard read 1-0. Some nice link up play on the right with Millot allowed Vagnoman in behind to square for Fuhrich.

Upon the restart Leverkusen dragged themselves level through Wirtz. Victor Boniface collected Xhaka’s pass and crossed low for Wirtz who tapped home almost identically to Fuhrich in the first half. In a true game of two halves Die Werkself took full control from there.

Jeremie Frimpong created a load of danger down the right. His hard work almost paid off with 20 minutes to play but for the intervention of Zagadou. Substitutes Hofmann and Schick added further threat from the Leverkusen bench too. Jonathan Tah’s final strike from a previous corner made for the closest either side came to a winner in the dying embers.

More about the match

Stuttgart vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Two high-flying sides face off
Xabi Alonso gives update on Wirtz injury ahead of Stuttgart clash
Xabi Alonso gives injury update on Wirtz ahead of Stuttgart clash

More about the teams

Leverkusen dispatch Paderborn to reach Pokal last-eight
Undav commits to play for Germany over Turkey
Can sounds the alarm: “Can’t go on like this”
Predicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 14
Stanisic dissatisfied with substitute role at Leverkusen



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