T. Stieler
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90'
+ 1
ADDED TIME
We're into two minutes of added time here.
90'
LATE CHANCE
More lovely football from the away side as they work the ball down the right and into the Bremen box. A deflection takes the ball towards goal at pace, but Pavlenka reacts quickly to parry it away.
86'
BREMEN FIGHTING
The home side are fighting right until the end in this game, with Bartels and Osako on in attack late on here. They're not losing any heart in the final minutes.
85'
Substitution
85'
Substitution
85'
Substitution
85'
Substitution
81'
LEVERKUSEN CLOSING THE GAP
Tonight's win will take Bayer just one point behind RB Leipzig in fourth place, after they stuttered to a 1-1 draw against Freiburg on Saturday Leverkusen just eight points behind Bayern at the top, too.
78'
DEMIRBAY MAKES IT FOUR!
A classy, classy finish from the midfield seals the win here. Bellarabi cuts inside from the right flank and sends a no-look pass through the Bremen defence for Demirbay to latch onto. He controls and chips the ball over Pavlenka who had committed himself to the floor to score his first Bundesliga goal for the club.
75'
LEVERKUSEN HEADING FOR A WIN
For the first time since May 2006, against Hertha Berlin, Leverkusen have scored three headers in a single Bundesliga game. They have scored 7 in total in the second half of the season already having only scored 2 in the first half of the campaign.
73'
HAVERTZ WORKING WONDERS
The star playmaker dribbles the ball through three or four defenders on his way to the Bremen box, but his shot is deflected wide. He's been everywhere tonight.
71'
FINAL HOPES?
Nick Woltemade and Josh Sargent come on to bring something different to the Bremen attack. Can they get something going in these final 20 minutes or so?
71'
Substitution
71'
Substitution
71'
Substitution
69'
ALMOST A HAT-TRICK
Havertz nabs the ball from in front of Amiri around the Bremen box as he prepared to shoot, but Havertz then had a go of his own. A small deflection took it off target beyond Pavlenka, though.
67'
BAILEY GOES CLOSE
The substitute has his first shot on goal, taking Sinkgraven's pass from the left and firing at goal from the edge of the Bremen box. Hitting the side-netting, though.
64'
FRESH LEGS ON THE WINGS
That's where Leverkusen have been getting most of their joy this evening and now they have fresh legs on the pitch with Bailey and Bellarabi on for Wirtz and Diaby.
63'
BREMEN STRUGGLES
The home side have a great chance to respond immediately here with Selke on the ball in the Leverkusen box on the right. Rashica is begging for the ball at the back post, but Selke cuts it back to M. Eggestein who was not expecting it, and he fires his shot wide.
62'
Substitution
62'
Substitution
61'
WEISER EXTENDS THE LEAD!
It's all too easy for Leverkusen. Havertz has the vision to find Diaby in space on the left wing and his cross into the box is met by Weiser, who just has more will than the Bremen defence to get their first, and he heads home in style.
Goal probability 
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
56'
WIRTZ WORKING HARD
He may only be 17 and making his debut for the club, but Florian Wirtz is putting himself about in this game. No Leverkusen player has gone into more challenges than his 19 - winning 42 per cent of those.
55'
ATTACKING MOVE
A striker on for a midfielder, here, with a change of formation coming with it. Eggestein playing in an attacking midfield role alongside Rashica and Bittencourt, behind Selke.
54'
Substitution
52'
PRESSING HIGH
Leverkusen are forcing Bremen into mistakes in defence. The home side not helping themselves at the start of this second half by giving the ball away cheaply, but it's thanks to the hard work of these Leverkusen players.
48'
ALMOST A THIRD
Leverkusen break beautifully through the middle and Diaby plays Havertz in behind. He's closed down by Pavlenka and his first effort is blocked, so plays back to Demirbay whose cross is cleared. A bright start here from Bosz's side.
46'
SECOND HALF BEGINS
We're back underway in Bremen with no changes at the break. Havertz has been the difference so far, will it continue that way?
Kick-off!
Half-time
45'
+ 1
BARGFREDE HEADS WIDE
The midfielder sends a header towards goal from around the penalty spot but it's wide of the mark. Leverkusen heading into the break ahead...
45'
KAI THE DIFFERENCE
Leverkusen's star performer has been the difference so far, but not without help from his talented teammates. Great work from Diaby on the wings and Demirbay's set-piece skill gave him two headers - both from close range, but neither simple - to have Leverkusen ahead. In between, Gebre Selassie scored Bremen's first goal at home in just over eight hours. If we know anything, it's that this game is far from over after three goals in the space of five minutes.
42'
CLOSING ON THE BREAK
The game has calmed in the last few minutes, Leverkusen taking more control of the game.
40'
THE YEAR OF KAI
Five of Havertz's seven goals this season have come in 2020, and he also scored in Leverkusen's last game before the break in play. A man in real form.
36'
GOALS GALORE
Three goals in the space of five minutes have brought this game to life in the first half. The 7th and 8th of the season for Havertz, and a rare goal for Gebre Selassie at the other end.
33'
TOO EASY FOR HAVERTZ
He has his second and both have been with his head. A free-kick curls into the box from the left-wing via Kerem Demirbay, superbly whipped and curled into the box for Havertz to meet. He's unmarked and has no problem placing the ball past Pavlenka.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
30'
AND BREMEN RESPOND!
Straight away, Bremen are back level and they finally have a goal at home. A corner from the left is swung in by Bittencourt and lands in front of goal. Gebre Selassie is on it and flicks the ball through Sinkgraven and beyond Hradecky into the far bottom corner with a lovely finish.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
28'
HAVERTZ OPENS THE SCORING!
Leverkusen do what Bremen can't and find the back of the net. Fantastic work from Diaby down the right, speeding and dribbling his way past Friedl before chipping the ball to the back post to find Havertz. He heads home beyond Pavlenka for his 7th of the season.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
27'
AMIRI WITH THE FIRST SHOT
The opening shot in anger comes from Amiri, who has been everywhere thus far, as he cuts inside from the left flank and forces a save from Pavlenka at his near post.
25'
DUE A GOAL
In the 18th minute of this game, the clock ticked over to eight hours without a goal at home for Bremen. They are certainly due a shot finding the back of the net, which will be massively celebrated by fans watching from home.
20'
REVERSE FIXTURE REMINDER
We saw a 2-2 draw between these two sides at the BayArena in the first half of the season. Two goals in each half, one for each team, saw them end level in a thrilling game. A couple of the goalscorers - Alario and Klaassen - are missing from the starting line-ups today, can someone step up to open the scoring?
18'
AMIRI WORKING HARD
The attacking midfield is working back well to support Aranguiz in the centre of midfield. He's won the most challenges of any player so far.
16'
WARMING UP NOW
Bremen beginning to move the ball forward well here. We can hear coach Florian Kohfeld relaying instructions on the sidelines, telling his team that they're doing well thus far. Neither side has been able to stamp control in the game.
11'
EVEN GAME SO FAR
Leverkusen have had no problems keeping the ball up the pitch, but Bremen are begin penned back in their own half with the ball for the most part. Selke has had few touches in these opening minutes.
7'
WITH AND WITHOUT THE BALL
Bremen's set-up sees them drop to a five-man defence when Leverkusen have the ball, but returns to a three-man defence when they have the ball themselves. Fluid operation so far.
1'
DOMINANT START
The away side in almost total control of the ball here in the opening minutes. Everyone getting a touch and warming into the game, including Wirtz, who is playing from the right flank.
1'
WE'RE UNDERWAY!
The ball is rolling in Bremen for the final game of the Bundesliga's returning Matchday 26.
Kick-off!
KING KAI THE DIFFERENCE
Leverkusen's star performer has been the difference so far, but not without help from his talented teammates. Great work from Diaby on the wings and Demirbay's set-piece skill gave him two headers - both from close range, but neither simple - to have Leverkusen ahead. In between, Gebre Selassie scored Bremen's first goal at home in just over eight hours. If we know anything, it's that this game is far from over after three goals in the space of five minutes.
KING KAI MAKING THE DIFFERENCE
The star of Leverkusen's entertaining show has been the difference-maker so far, but not without help from his talented teammates. Diaby's great work on the wings and Demirbay's set-piece skill set him up to score two headers - both from close range but neither of them simple. In between, Gebre Selassie had scored Bremen's first goal at home in over eight hours of play. Having seen three goals in the space of five minutes, we have to say this one is still wide-open.
THE LEVERKUSEN WAY
Heading into this weekend, only Bayern (22) and Dortmund (21) had collected more points than Leverkusen (19) in 2020. Bayer have beaten both of them this season, and Die Werkself are also the third-highest scorers in the Bundesliga this calendar year (22), and boast the joint-third best defence (nine against).
BREMEN STRUGGLES
Bremen have lost their last six home games in a row, failing to score in five. Historically, only three teams have experienced longer losing runs in front of their own fans: Hansa Rostock (2004/05), Tasmania Berlin (1965/66) - both eight - and Hannover (2015/16, seven). All three were relegated. Six home games without scoring would level an unwanted Bundesliga record, currently shared by Freiburg (2009/10) and VfB Stuttgart (2014/15). Kohfeldt will be hoping his side can snap both streaks today after the break in play.
WHAT IS ON THE LINE?
With Bayern, Dortmund and Gladbach all picking up maximum points and Leipzig taking one against Freiburg, the pressure is on Leverkusen to keep themselves in the fight for the title. Meanwhile, for Bremen, a win tonight can take them within two points of Fortuna Düsseldorf in the relegation play-off spot at the bottom. A crucial game for both sides.
THIRD-YOUNGEST PLAYER IN LEAGUE HISTORY
Not only will Florian Wirtz become the youngest player in Leverkusen's history in a little under 15 minutes time, he'll also become the third-youngest player in the Bundesliga's history behind Borussia Dortmund's Nuri Sahin and Cologne's Yann Bisseck, both of whom were 16 years and 11 months old when making their debuts.
LEVERKUSEN TEAM NEWS
The big news for Peter Bosz's side has already been spoken about: Florian Wirtz starts and will become the club's youngest-ever player. He's in with both Kevin Volland (foot) out injured and Lucas Alario only fit for the bench. It's an attacking formation for Leverkusen, with Mitchell Weiser and Daley Sinkgraven at full-backs.
BREMEN TEAM NEWS
Coach Florian Kohfeldt makes four changes from his last line-up in the Bundesliga before the coronavirus-enforced break. Jiri Pavlenka is back and fit to start ahead of Stefanos Kapino, Marco Friedl is on for the injured Ludwig Augustinsson while Davy Klaassen is suspended and replaced by Philipp Bargfrede and Davie Selke starts ahead of Josh Sargent.
ANYONE FEELING OLD YET?
Wirtz - an attacking midfielder who will likely be operating behind Kai Havertz this evening - was born 3 May 2003. He joined the club during the winter break from local rivals Cologne and just five months later, will make his debut for the club.
WELCOME TO THE BUNDESLIGA, FLORIAN WIRTZ
The Bundesliga will be saying hello to a new wonderkid in less than an hour. Florian Wirtz - at 17 years and 16 days old - will make his debut for Bayer Leverkusen in the German top-flight, breaking Kai Havertz's record to become the youngest debutant in the club's history.
LEVERKUSEN STARTING XI!
Hradecky - Weiser, S. Bender, Tapsoba, Sinkgraven - Aranguiz, Demirbay - Amiri, Wirtz, Diaby - Havertz (c)
LEVERKUSEN SUBS
Özcan, Tah, Dragovic, Paulinho, Bailey, Alario, Baumgartlinger, Palacios, Bellarabi
BREMEN STARTING XI!
Pavlenka - Veljkovic, Vogt, Moisander (c) - Gebre Selassie, M. Eggestein, Bargfrede, Friedl - Bittencourt, Selke, Rashica
BREMEN SUBS
Kapino, Lang, Osako, Langkamp, Sahin, Sargent, Bartels, J. Eggestein, Woltemade
LINE-UPS COMING UP
Welcome along to our live coverage of Werder Bremen vs. Bayer Leverkusen this evening. We'll have the official line-ups from both sides in around 15 minutes, so keep your eyes here to make sure you see who's involved.
Welcome along to the match centre for the game Bremen vs. Leverkusen from matchday 26 of the 2019/20 Bundesliga season at the wohninvest WESERSTADION. Check back here for full information on the match.