Bayer Leverkusen’s winning streak in German soccer was snapped after 462 unbeaten days across all German competitions. The Bundesliga title holders lost 3-2 at home to RB Leipzig after surrendering an early 2-0 lead.
The last time Xabi Alonso’s team had already lost a setting on German soil was on May 27, 2023 opposite Bochum (0-3). Two seasons ago.
But after the final beep tonight, on the second day of the new season of the Bundesliga, the Leverkusen stadium, the Bayarena, emptied in an instant. In the midst of a sea of empty seats, a large virtual screen still said “the invincible” in capital letters, appearing drawn versions of local heroes such as Florian Wirtz, Victor Boniface, Jérémie Frimpong and Granit Xhaka. The banner shone intensely, such as challenging recent events.
In terms of fitness stats alone, Leverkusen suffered an unlikely defeat to Leipzig. The German champions dominated their opponents in all key indicators, including the total number of shots (26 to Leipzig’s 8), corners (18-2) and ball ownership (63% to 37%). As Jonathan Tah told German TV channel Sky, “Apart from the goals we conceded, we didn’t leave many chances. “The Bayer captain added: “But today we slept in safe conditions, we slept and that’s a punishment against such an opponent. “
Tah had to think about the second half, since at the beginning it seemed awake when Frimpong (minute 37) and Alejandro Grimaldo (45 ‘) gave the German champions a 2-0 advantage. Then, in less than 30 minutes, Kevin Kampl (45 7 ‘) of Leipzig and Lois Opennda (57’, 80 ‘) turned the game.
So how did the Leipzig defeat the invincibles of Germany? “It’s very, very painful,” said Leverkusen coach Alonso, Sky after the final whistle. “Kampl’s goal before the break caused a change. We didn’t have so much control in the second half, and then for Leipzig it was too simple. ” The Spanish concluded: “We settle for defeat, it is difficult, but so is football. We still have much to do, especially in front of the ball. “
Alonso has a fortnight and analyzes a painful defeat. Then, after the foreign break, his team faces Hoffenheim on the road on the third day of the Bundesliga on September 14.
Germany
Jonathan Tah bei Sky: “Ich würd schon sagen, dass wir bis zum Schluss die Möglichkeit hatten, das Spiel zu zumachen. Die Gegentore, die wir kriegen, sind viel zu einfach. Abgesehen von den Gegentoren haben wir gar nicht viele Chancen zugelassen. Wir sind als Mannschaft aufgetreten. Wir verteidigen als Mannschaft, wir greifen als Mannschaft an. Da haben wir in einigen Situationen heute gepennt, geschlafen, und das wird dann gegen so einen Gegner bestraft.”
Kevin Kampl: “No one believed it, but we did it. We knew it would be incredibly difficult, we knew that Leverkusen played football, especially in possession.
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