Leverkusen lead the league by 11 points, they beat Mainz at home on Friday night

Leverkusen are 11 points ahead of Bayern Munich for at least a few hours. They beat Mainz 2-1 at home in a thrilling encounter, with the opponent going behind shorthanded. The visitors remain in the relegation zone.

Leverkusen took the lead in the third minute with a shot under the crossbar by Granit Xhaka. But the joy didn’t last long, Dominik Kohr had an easy header in the 11th minute and the game was level.

Jonas Hofmann could have given the home side the lead back, but his cross was well saved by the visiting Mainz goalkeeper. In the 20th minute, Xhaka sent in a typical long-range shot from distance, this time heading into the middle of the goal.

Kohr, the visitors’ goalkeeper, was also on his toes. In the 28th minute, he headed again, but this time only hit the centre of the goal. However, it was primarily the home side who were dangerous, as presented by Jonas Hofmann’s finish. The visitors’ goalkeeper was able to intervene.

The game was tied going into the booths, which was much more favourable to the visitors. Moreover, Phillipp Mwene almost gave them the lead after the change of sides, but he missed the ball perfectly and did not hit the Leverkusen goal at all.

On the other side, Odilon Kossounou had a header, but it didn’t go between the three posts either. In the 68th minute, the home side celebrated. Robert Andrich missed the ball perfectly, heading between the three posts, but the goalkeeper had a clear conscience.

Jessic Ngankam made it easier for the home side in the 80th minute after a VAR intervention. The home side controlled the proceedings and in the 89th minute Alejandro Grimaldo had the decision on his feet but only hit the defending champion.

Bayer Leverkusen took care of the ending, playing with experience against a weakened opponent and winning 2-1. Mainz are 11 points ahead in the league and in the relegation zone.

Source: Bundesliga