Union Berlin 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen - Florian Wirtz goal keeps title charge on track
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 06/04/2024 at 16:24 GMT
Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tchel threw in the towel in the Bundesliga title race last week. Whether that was an attempt to prompt Bayer Leverkusen to take their foot off the accelerator was not clear, but it did not work as Xabi Alonso’s charges powered on with a victory at Union Berlin. It was not pretty but a penalty from Florian Wirtz secured another three points.
Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen celebrates scoring his team's first goal from a penalty kick with teammate Nathan Tella during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at An der Alten Foersterei on April 06, 2024 in Berlin
Image credit: Getty Images
Bayer Leverkusen have moved 16 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after the most comfortable of 1-0 victories over Union Berlin.
Leverkusen were far from the exciting side they have been this season, but were in control throughout the match and could have been ahead earlier had Alex Grimaldo not spurned a good chance from Nathan Tella's pull-back.
Union were competitive in the first half, but the game was effectively over during the course of injury time before half-time.
Robin Gosens lunged into an unnecessary challenge on Tella near the corner flag and received a second yellow card, then a penalty was awarded when Piero Hincapie's shot was deflected off the arm of Christopher Trimmel.
Florian Wirtz sent Frederik Ronnow the wrong way from the spot, for a lead which the 10-men opposition never really threatened.
With Bayern losing at Heidenheim, Leverkusen could win the title next week if they win and the Bavarian giants lose.
Talking Point - Put the champagne on ice
In some ways Union were the side any title challenger would want to play at this time in the season, nine points clear of relegation and 13 away from European qualification.
However, a talented side with no pressure after a disappointing season and in front of maybe the best home atmosphere in the Bundesliga, could potentially have caused danger.
The hosts were certainly competitive in the first half but a moment of madness and another of misfortune left Leverkusen with the most comfortable 45 minutes they have had all season.
They will surely have nervous moments in the rest of the campaign - in the DFB-Pokal Cup final against Kaiserlautern and UEFA Europa Cup matches - but the race they are most desperate to win is even more of a formality than seemed conceivable.
Next week Leverkusen host Werder Bremen, while Bayern are at home to Koln. If the top two have the same results, Xabi Alonso's side will lift the trophy before the mid-point of April.
Player of the Match - Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
It was not a week where most Leverkusen players needed to be at their best but the wing-back was at the forefront of their better attacks in the first half and then, on the rare occasions when Union Berlin threatened in the second half, he was on hand to snuff out danger.
One moment sticks out in particular when the ball seemed to fall for second-half substitute Alex Kral in the box but Grimaldo recovered to clear. He also stopped potentially dangerous replacement on the right flank, Benedict Hollerbach, causing trouble.
Player Ratings
Union Berlin: Ronnow 7, Doekhi 6, Vogt 6, Diogo Leite 6, Khedira 6, Tousart 6, Trimmel 6, Gosens 4, Schafer 6; Aaronson 6, Vertessen 6.
Subs: Kaufmann 6, Kral 6, Juranovic 6, Laidouni 6, Hollerbach 6.
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky 6, Kossounou 7, Tah 6, Hincapie 6, Alex Grimaldo 8*; Andrich 7, Xhaka 6, Tella 7, Wirtz 7, Hlozek 6, Borja Iglesias 6.
Subs: Adli 6, Boniface 6, Frimpong 6.
Match Highlights
16' REACTION STOP FROM RONNOW Iglesias met a cross from Tella with a firm header and instinctively diverted the effort away from goal.
28' GREAT CHANCE FOR GRIMALDO Tellla pulled a ball back but from the penalty spot Grimaldo, with his wrong foot, muffs an effort wide of the target.
45+3' CRAZY FROM GOSENS! Tella was going nowhere towards the corner flag but Gosens dived into a challenge, caught the winger, and receives a second yellow card.
45+4' THE BALL IS IN THE NET! After hitting the post, but the linesman's flag went up. Hincappie shot against the post and then it hit Adli on the floor, who was in an offside position, before Kossounou slotted home from close range.
45+7' PENALTY! The referee went to check the sideline video. The ball struck Trimmel's upper arm, deflecting Hincappie's shot against the post, and Leverkusen have been given a penalty!
45+8' GOAL! UNION BERLIN 0-1 BAYER LEVERKUSEN (WIRTZ) Wirtz sends the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.
77' GOOD STOP FROM RONNOW! Tella cut in from the right flank and beat a man before aiming an effort inside the far post which Ronnow stopped. A save you would expect him to make, but a save nevertheless.
90+5' ADLI IS DENIED BY RONNOW! He was put through on goal and really should have squared to Boniface who was free, but the keeper saved a shot with his legs.
Key Stat
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article