Bayer Leverkusen dropped points on Saturday evening in their visit to Werder Bremen. Jeremie Frimpong contributed with an assist at the Weserstadion, but the visitors surrendered their lead in the final minutes.
Leverkusen's recent form has raised concerns as the club navigates a challenging week both domestically and in Europe.
Their Champions League clash against Stade Brest ended in a disappointing draw, leaving fans and analysts questioning the team’s ability to maintain momentum in both the Bundesliga and European competition. Coach Xabi Alonso, who has worked to develop a young and dynamic squad, faced pressure to deliver a strong response in their league match against Werder Bremen. However, the outcome once again highlighted inconsistencies that could impact Leverkusen’s title aspirations.
The match at Weserstadion started positively for Leverkusen, who found a breakthrough just after the half-hour mark. Florian Wirtz, continuing his impressive playmaking form, delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Jeremie Frimpong on the right flank. Frimpong’s precise cross found Victor Boniface, who coolly tapped the ball in from close range. For Boniface, it marked his sixth Bundesliga goal of the season, placing him among the league's top scorers, behind Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush with nine goals and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, who has eight.
Despite the early lead, Leverkusen struggled to capitalize on their control of the game. Shortly after the break, Boniface had another opportunity to double the advantage when Wirtz cleverly set him up on the edge of the penalty area. However, Bremen's goalkeeper, Michael Zetterer, displayed excellent reflexes, denying Boniface’s powerful shot and keeping the home team in the game.
Werder Bremen, though largely subdued throughout the match, gradually grew into the contest, mounting occasional threats. In the 75th minute, their resilience paid off when Marvin Ducksch connected with a Julian Malatini cross to level the score with a well-placed header, catching Leverkusen’s defense off guard. The equalizer ignited Bremen’s supporters and shifted the game’s momentum.
Just minutes later, an unfortunate mistake by Bremen defender Felix Agu handed Leverkusen a lucky break. Under pressure from Frimpong, Agu attempted to clear a dangerous cross but accidentally directed the ball into his own net, putting Leverkusen back in front. However, Bremen's determination remained unshaken, and Leverkusen’s defense was put under increasing strain as the hosts pushed forward in search of another equalizer.
In the 88th minute, Florian Wirtz nearly sealed the victory for Leverkusen with a well-struck shot, only for the ball to rebound off the post. The missed opportunity proved costly, as Bremen capitalized in stoppage time. Austrian international Romano Schmid unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area, leaving Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky unable to respond. The goal sent the Bremen crowd into a frenzy and secured a hard-earned point for the home team.
The 2-2 draw marks a setback for Leverkusen, who now trail behind league leaders RB Leipzig. With Bayern Munich having a chance to increase their lead with a win over VfL Bochum on Sunday, Alonso’s squad finds itself under increasing pressure to regain form and consistency. The team’s recent performances indicate potential defensive vulnerabilities, and as they juggle the demands of both domestic and European competitions, questions remain about whether they can sustain a title challenge.
