D. Aytekin
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Full-time
90'
+ 6
WHAT A GOAL FROM KRUSE
A truly outstanding solo goal from Kruse who has to go wide to collect the ball to the left side of the Leverkusen box. He then cuts inside past Wendell and has only the goalkeeper to beat, chipping the ball over the oncoming Hradecky with ridiculous composure. What a stunning finish.
90'
+ 1
90'
+ 1
FIVE MINUTES ADDED TIME
Can Leverkusen produce some Dortmund-style drama to end this Sunday opener?
87'
BAILEY GOES SO CLOSE
Weiser plays a neat ball through for Bailey to attack on the right wing, but he has to shoot on his weaker right-foot, and the ball hits the wrong side of the netting for the home side.
84'
Substitution
84'
Substitution
81'
BIG BLOCK FROM KLAASSEN
Volland was about to pounce and bring Leverkusen level in this game, after Brandt's free-kick had been headed down into open space in the Bremen box. But the Dutch midfielder made a vital challenge ahead of Volland to keep his side ahead.
75'
Substitution
75'
ANOTHER BAILEY FREE-KICK!
Nothing Pavlenka could do about that as Bailey smashes an unstoppable free-kick in off the crossbar to bring this game back to life. It was always going to take something special to beat the Bremen defence today, and that was certainly special.
74'
BREMEN'S DEFENCE STANDING FIRM
Despite having the creative talent of Havertz, Bailey, Brandt and Co. to call upon, the Bremen defence has been outstanding today, restricting Pavlenka to just one special save so far today. Will we see more in the final 15 minutes?
65'
Substitution
64'
PAVLENKA SAVES SUPERBLY
The home side go close again through Bender, whose shot is deflected on its way towards goal and Pavlenka has to tip it over his own crossbar.
58'
ALL LEVERKUSEN HERE
Paulinho and Havertz are making the positive difference Bosz was hoping for so far, with the home side dominating the start of this second half. Bremen have rarely got out of their own half with possession but did almost score from Sahin's dangerous free-kick, but Hradecky and the post make a good save from it.
54'
HAVERTZ SCORES... BUT IT'S RULED OUT
The substitute has the ball in the Bremen net after smashing home from Bailey's corner, but the goal has been ruled out for handball as he controlled the ball from the set-piece.
49'
FRIEDL TO CONTINUE
It looks like Friedl will be able to continue here after avoiding any serious injury. Great to see!
48'
FRIEDL DOWN
A horrible moment for Marco Friedl, who looks to have badly hurt his left knee as he pulled out of a challenge for the ball. Langkamp is getting ready to come on in his place, but he'll see if he can continue.
47'
UNDERWAY AGAIN
A double substitution at the break from Peter Bosz, can Leverkusen produce a comeback in this second half?
46'
Substitution
46'
Substitution
Kick-off!
Half-time
45'
LEVERKUSEN CHANGES
Paulinho and Havertz are on at the break, replacing Bellarabi and Aranguiz.
40'
DEADLIEST DUO IN THE BUNDESLIGA RIGHT NOW?
Three goals and three assists in his last four games for Max Kruse, and three goals in his last two games for Milot Rashica. Absolutely on fire for Bremen!
37'
YOU CAN'T STOP RASHICA!
Johannes Eggestein does superbly to beat a challenge from Lars Bender and send Kruse away into the Leverkusen box. He then finds Rashica on the right wing, charging into the box. A tpuch to composes himself, before finishing low beyond Hradecky and Wendell and into the net.
36'
VOLLAND SO CLOSE!
That really was inches from being the equaliser as Bellarabi's cross from the right wing curled onto Volland's head and the striker angled the ball well to head towards goal, but it drifted just wide of the far post.
35'
BRANDT AND BAILEY COMBINE
The German international breaks through the midfield with space in front of him and finds Bailey on the left side of the box. He takes a touch, but it gets stuck in his feet slighlty... he's still able to get a shot away, but it's blocked behind by Bremen's defence.
29'
MIDFIELD BATTLE
There has been one shot on target from Milot Rashica since Kruse's opener, with most of the game turning into a real midfield battle. Julian Brandt is trying to bring the creative edge to Leverkusen, making runs in between the midfield and defence, but the Bremen trio in midfield is doing superbly to block most through balls. A tense tactical tussle until now...
19'
NO RHYTHM FOUND YET
With no Havertz on the bench and a change in formation, Leverkusen are struggling to find their rhythm early in this game. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Bosz revert back to the 4-3-3 which has seen Leverkusen rise up the table so rapidly in recent weeks.
14'
WHAT A GOAL!
Outstanding play from Bremen as Johannes Eggestein receives the ball from his brother on the halfway line and he finds Kruse running in behind the Leverkusen defence. A couple of touches to compose himself before smashing the ball into the far bottom corner beyond Hradecky. Perfect start for the away side!
12'
EVEN START
Both teams showing that they are going for goals again today. Leon Bailey and Karim Bellarabi have been busy for the home side, while Max Kruse - as always - is heavily involved for Bremen. No major chances on goal yet so far, though. Peter Bosz said before the game that he wouldn't have Kai Havertz on the bench if he couldn't play... perhaps we'll see him make a difference later.
4'
EGGESTEIN HAS THE FIRST GO AT GOAL
Bremen break down the left with Kruse and his cross comes to Johannes Eggestein on the edge of the box. He beats one man before shooting at goal, seeing his shot saved by Hradecky. A good start for the away side, dominating the early possession and attacking play here.
2'
UNDERWAY IN LEVERKUSEN
The sun is shining brightly at the BayArena as we get underway here. Milot Rashica actually looks to be leading the line for Bremen, alongside Johannes Eggestein, with Max Kruse in behind the pair.
Kick-off!
EIGHT GOALS AGAIN?
In case you somehow missed the incredible first meeting between these two sides, the game in Bremen produced the highest scoring match of the season so far. Leverkusen came out 6-2 winners in an incredible match. Getting that same game again today would be a neutral fan's dream!
KICK-OFF COMING UP
Just a few minutes away from the first of three games this afternoon in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen can climb into fifth place with a win, and just two points off the Champions League places. While Bremen can go into eight with a win.
EGGESTEIN BROTHERS FOR BREMEN
Both Maximilian - who was called up to Joachim Löw's Germany squad this week - and brother Johannes start today for Bremen, as they have done on several occasions this season. Josh Sargent, meanwhile, is on the bench for Florian Kohfeldt's side.
HAVERTZ ON THE BENCH
The 19-year-old German star has started every game for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga this season, but is starting from the bench for the first time today. Julian Baumgartlinger comes in to replace him with what looks like a change of formation for Peter Bosz.
BREMEN
Pavlenka – Gebre Selassie, Moisander, Friedl, Augustinsson – M. Eggestein, Klaassen, Sahin – J. Eggestein, Kruse (c), Rashica Subs: Kapino, Bejimo, Möhwald, Harnik, Langkamp, Sargent, Bartels
LEVERKUSEN
Hradecky – L. Bender (c), Tah, Dragovic, Wendell – Baumgartlinger, Aranguiz – Bellarabi, Brandt, Bailey - Volland Subs: Özcan, S. Bender, Paulinho, Alario, Kohr, Weiser, Havertz
Welcome along to the match centre for the game Leverkusen vs. Bremen from matchday 26 of the 2018/19 Bundesliga season at the BayArena. Check back here for full information on the match.