Bayer 04 steers clear of the rage of the teams battling to avoid relegation.
Bayer Leverkusen didn't celebrate for long on matchday 33 of the Bundesliga, as they managed to clinch a victory against VfL Bochum with a dominant performance. This win helped them avoid potential troubles in Dortmund.
Currently, Bayer Leverkusen's winning streak continues, as they haven't lost at the site of their last defeat - and they've now extended their incredible streak to 50 matches without loss. On Sunday evening, the German champions beat VfL Bochum 5-0 (2-0) in the Bundesliga's 33rd matchday, putting them on the verge of being the first team in Bundesliga history with a season-long undefeated record.
Thanks to an early red card for Bochum's Felix Passlack (15th - emergency brake), Leverkusen had an advantage. Patrik Schick (41), Victor Boniface (45.+2), Amine Adli (76), Josip Stanisic (86), and Alejandro Grimaldo (90.+3) all scored for Bayer.
At the same time, VfL Bochum remains concerned about remaining in the league. They face a real possibility of being relegated if they lose on the final matchday. However, despite this, they still have the power to stay in the first division. A point in the ultimate match against Werder Bremen will be enough to ensure their continued presence in the top-tier.
Xabi Alonso, the coach of Bayer, made several changes to his team in this game, in comparison to the 2-2 draw against AS Roma in the Europa League semi-final second leg. Alonso rotated eight players, while Florian Wirtz and Adam Hlozek were benched due to injuries. In their place, Boniface and Schick took up positions in attack, forming a partnership for the first time this season in the Bundesliga.
Unlike the Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, who faced heavy criticism for their lackluster performance at 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday, leading to suggestions of tampering with the competition and legal consequences, Bayer Leverkusen gave a performance that was up to expectations. VfL Bochum cheekily commented on Dortmund's captain Nico Schlotterbeck's promises to Bochum that they would "give 110%" after their recent oath in Mainz, saying, "Stay positive: At least we didn't have to send a 'thank you' anywhere today."
Bochum started brightly, with Takuma Asano (8') and Philipp Hofmann (11') coming close to goal. However, the red card significantly altered their approach, causing them to become more defensive. Despite this, they initially managed to keep Leverkusen at bay.
Gradually, Leverkusen began to inch closer. Granit Xhaka (30) nearly scored from a distance, flicking the ball onto the crossbar. The next opportunity came when Schick took a cross from Arthur on the penalty spot, scoring to give Leverkusen the lead. Soon after, Keven Schlotterbeck fouled Nathan Tella in his own penalty area. Boniface made no mistake from the spot, taking the score to 2-0 at halftime.
After the break, Manuel Riemann, Bochum's goalkeeper, blocked Schick's second goal with an impressive save. Boniface's second goal was stopped by the post (59). But there was no denying that Leverkusen was in a dominant position against the increasingly exhausted Bochum.
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VfL Bochum will need to secure a point in their final match against Werder Bremen to have a chance of staying in the Bundesliga, while Bayer 04 Leverkusen's dominance in soccer continues, having not lost in their last 50 matches in the Bundesliga. In their recent match against VfL Bochum, Bayer 04 achieved a convincing 5-0 victory, with Patrik Schick and Victor Boniface among the scorers, further cementing their position in the Soccer Bundesliga.
Source: www.ntv.de
