Unimpressed by Bayern’s runaway victory, league leaders Leverkusen clinched their next victory in the Bundesliga against Wolfsburg. Nathan Tella (37th) and Florian Wirtz (86th) scored the goals on Sunday (March 10th, 2024) for a 2-0 (1-0) win against VfL Wolfsburg, which came after yellow-red against Moritz Jenz (28th). ) was outnumbered early on.
Even after 25 match days, Bayer 04 Leverkusen remains ten points ahead of their pursuers Bayern Munich. Wolfsburg has now been waiting for a win for ten Bundesliga games and is slipping ever closer to the relegation place in 13th place with 25 points.
“The game was over after the red card,” Wolfsburg coach Niko Kovac told Sportschau. “We defended well even when we were outnumbered, but you can’t evaluate the 60 minutes anymore. It’s difficult against Leverkusen with eleven men. It’s damn difficult with ten men.”
Torge Hidding, Sportschau, March 10, 2024 10:06 p.m
Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky said after a busy evening for him: “It’s going well at the moment. We’re not putting unnecessary pressure on ourselves. We’re enjoying football and fighting until the last minute.”
The long-distance battle with Bayern doesn’t play a big role for the players, said the Finn. “Half the dressing room doesn’t know what Bayern’s result was against Mainz,” said Hradecky. “Half the dressing room doesn’t know what Bayern’s result was against Mainz.”
Torge Hidding, Sportschau, March 10, 2024 10:42 p.m
Wirtz only hits the post
Niko Kovac had his team play extremely defensively against the favorites from Leverkusen. With a chain of five and a row of four in front of them, Wolfsburg tried not to offer the hosts any gaps. That worked well at first. Leverkusen were dominant, but not dangerous – even if Florian Wirtz hit the post after an advance from the half-left in a one-on-one against goalkeeper Koen Casteels (22nd).
Wolfsburg played forward sparingly, but had a strong finish thanks to a Zesinger shot (25th). However, when Jenz was shown a yellow-red card for his second foul within just under a quarter of an hour, the guests retreated even further. “I think Moritz has to stay away because he already had a yellow card,” said Kovac. He took striker Jonas Wind off the field and brought on defender Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Tim Wichmann, sports show, March 10, 2024 9:20 p.m
Tella heads to the spot
Leverkusen remained patient and then struck. Alex Grimaldo moved to the baseline on the left. Tella moved in from outside and, standing free in the center, headed Grimaldo’s cross into the goal to take the lead.
In the second half, Wolfsburg gathered all their strength in front of their own penalty area. Leverkusen increased their ball possession to over 70 percent, but often lacked the pace to open a gap towards the goal. That only happened shortly before the end, but it was wonderful. Exequiel Palacios chipped the ball over the defense into the path of Wirtz, who scored the winner with a great volley from seven meters over the left post.
Leverkusen will now face Qarabag Agdam at home in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday (March 14, 2024, 9 p.m.) after the 2-2 draw in Azerbaijan. In the Bundesliga we go to SC Freiburg on Sunday (3:30 p.m.). Wolfsburg is already hosting the recently up-and-coming FC Augsburg on Saturday (3:30 p.m.).