Last-Minute Victory: Bayer Leverkusen Edges Out Wolfsburg 4-3 in Thrilling Match

VfL Wolfsburg puts in a strong away performance in Leverkusen, but Bayer strikes late again: Boniface scores in stoppage time, and the champions win 4:3 (2:3).23.09.2024 | 9:51 min

The final rehearsal succeeded with familiar last-minute quality—but Bayer Leverkusen has plenty of room for improvement ahead of next week’s summit meeting at FC Bayern. Although the champions won their home game against VfL Wolfsburg 4:3 (2:3), they travel to Munich with serious defensive concerns after a worrying defensive performance.

An own goal by Nordi Mukiele gave VfL the lead (5 min). Leverkusen managed to beat Wolfsburg’s Tiago Tomás to the ball, who was ready to score behind Mukiele. Florian Wirtz (14 min) and Jonathan Tah (32 min) then made it 2:1 for Leverkusen. Sebastiaan Bornauw (37 min) and Mattias Svanberg (45+1) turned the game around once again. Piero Hincapie (48 min) equalized for Leverkusen.

After the red card for Wolfsburg’s Yannick Gerhardt, who was provoked into foul play by Jeremie Frimpong in the 90th minute, Leverkusen really stepped up and celebrated their next last-minute victory after Victor Boniface scored in the third minute of stoppage time.

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Bayer coach Xabi Alonso made several changes to his starting eleven compared to the victory against Feyenoord (4:0), rotating five positions. However, Wirtz, who performed impressively in Rotterdam, did not receive a break. The young star was set to warm up for Saturday’s match (18:30) against Bayern.

Leverkusen responds after going behind

The focus was initially on a teammate: Mukiele, who arrived from Paris in the summer, unfortunately deflected a cross into his own net during his starting debut. After a few defensive wobbles early on, the Werkself regained their composure—and improved minute by minute, thanks in part to Wirtz. The equalizer came when the national player scored from 16 meters, reinforcing his top form.

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Bayer then allowed very little and created chance after chance. Patrick Schick narrowly missed the lead three times (20/26/30). Wirtz failed to finish off a spectacular solo (31).

Bayer defense falters

Tah made it better shortly thereafter with a header after a corner, but the joy was short-lived. Bayer’s defense, which has not yet looked secure this season, conceded the next goals.

We cannot defend so naively. This cannot continue like this, it is not enough.

Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen

Bornauw won the aerial duel against Mukiele after a set piece. Svanberg also scored from distance, while goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky looked poor.

Hincapie comes on and scores

Alonso relieved Mukiele at halftime, bringing on Hincapie to stabilize the defense—thus proving to have a lucky hand.

The new man quickly equalized with a header while unmarked. Bayer acted dominantly in the second half, but there were initially no significant chances.

The chance for the next goal arose on the other side when Salih Özcan attempted a chip shot from distance after a Hradecky error (74 min). Bayer striker Boniface (77 min) also failed shortly after his substitution. But then he scored.

Leverkusen specialist for Sunday matches

“It’s good that we have the mentality to come back like that. But it shouldn’t happen too often,” cautioned defense chief Jonathan Tah. Coach Xabi Alonso’s team remains unbeaten in 23 Sunday matches. The Wolfsburg team, on the other hand, must first reorient itself downwards following their third defeat in four season matches.

5:1 victory in the Bundesliga

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Source: dpa/ZDF