Bayer Leverkusen kept up their good form thanks to Karim Bellarabi’s historic strike on matchday 21 of the Bundesliga. The 26-year-old Germany international helped steer Roger Schmidt’s side to a 3-1 victory at FC Augsburg as he bagged the Bundesliga’s 50,000th goal.
Bellarabi gave the away side the lead almost 54 years after the Bundesliga’s first ever goal was scored by Dortmund’s Timo Konietzka in August 1963. Youth international Kai Havertz had a major hand in the goal with a very precise assist. That was not the only moment in which the 17-year-old showcased his immense talent and potential. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez doubled Bayer’s lead in the 40th minute with his tenth strike of the season. Germany U21 international Dominik Kohr reduced the deficit in the second half before Chicharito restored the Werkself’s two-goal cushion just five minutes later after another fantastic pass from Havertz.
Fantastic result ahead of Champions League tie
Leverkusen’s second league win in a row could not have come at a better time. Bayer, who now find themselves back in the European places in the table, face a tricky test against Spanish club Atlético Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday (20:45 CET). In contrast, Manuel Baum’s side’s form continues to dip as they registered their second successive defeat.
FCA failed to get back to winning ways against Bayer as they suffered their eighth defeat of the 2016/17 campaign and one that was deserved despite battling and showing desire, especially when their performance did improve after the break. Leverkusen gave more in this game and above all were more clinical in front of goal.
More chances for Bayer
It was Augsburg’s Georg Teigl who had the match’s first opportunity. He came in for Jonathan Schmidt, who missed the game due to a muscle issue. FCA were also without Jeffrey Gouweleeuw who was out with a back problem. Schmidt had to change things up at centre-back as Tin Jedvaj and Aleksandar Dragovic came in for Jonathan Tah and Ömer Toprak but Bayer were rarely threatened in the first half.
The Werkself were however determined to get the ball forward. Havertz missed the chance to put his team in the lead early on as Marwin Hitz saved brilliantly to keep him out after a one-on-one. Kevin Kampl and then Havertz once again failed to get past the Swiss keeper. However he could do nothing to keep out Bellarabi. The FCA goalie was then also let down by his defenders for Leverkusen’s 900th away goal, scored by Chicharito.
FCA only threatened the Leverkusen goal on occasion but they did have some good opportunities to score, with Ja-Cheol Koo missing two of their best. Bayer captain Lars Bender had to be substituted off shortly before the break due to a muscle problem. As a result Bayer lost their shape and FCA began to pile on the pressure. After Raul Bobadilla also squandered a good opportunity, Kohr then pulled one back following some great build-up play from Takashi Usami. However Leverkusen restored their lead just five minutes later and held on to secure a 3-1 victory in an exciting encounter.
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