RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen Review
RB Leipzig made a comeback from a two-goal deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, marking the first time in the last nine encounters between the two teams that the match ended in a draw. The away side displayed strong intent early on, with Nordi Mukiele testing Péter Gulácsi from a distance. Leipzig then found themselves trailing in the 19th minute when, following a brief clash with Willi Orbán, Florian Wirtz skillfully maneuvered into the box and took a shot that hit the post, allowing Patrik Schick to score, marking his 13th goal in the last eight league matches.
Leipzig kept applying pressure by sending crosses into the penalty area, but Loïs Openda narrowly missed with a header while being challenged by Jonathan Tah. Wirtz managed to create another opportunity for himself, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Gulácsi, who tipped the ball off the post. The visitors then capitalized on a mistake to score their second goal. With David Raum injured, Die Roten Bullen continued to play and lost possession to Wirtz in their own box, allowing him to set up Aleix García for his first Bundesliga goal.
Raum returned just five minutes later with a powerful free-kick that deflected off Piero Hincapié’s head, hit the crossbar, bounced off the ground, and went into the net, raising the excitement. Raum then made a crucial defensive play, blocking a shot from Exequiel Palacios just three minutes after he came on at halftime. The visitors couldn’t extend their lead, as Palacios’ shot was saved, Wirtz hit the post again, and Hincapié missed a chance from Mukiele’s cross. They narrowly avoided trouble when Benjamin Šeško was denied by Hrádecký after receiving Xavi Simons’ corner, and Jeremie Frimpong shot over the bar.
In the 85th minute, Edmond Tapsoba scored an own goal by heading Xavi Simons’ chipped free-kick into his own net, resulting in Leverkusen losing their eight-game winning streak in the Bundesliga. Although Leipzig has not won in their last three league games, this comeback, along with their midweek European win against Sporting CP, could provide a significant morale boost for the team.