Advertisement
90'
+ 5
SCHALKE, COLOGNE - OVER TO YOU!
Thanks for your company today - it's been a wild Bundesliga ride! But don't forget there's more to come - head on over to our homepage for live text coverage of Schalke against Cologne, with the hosts no doubt relishing a chance to move two points clear at the top of the table. Bye for now!
90'
+ 5
TIGHT AT THE TOP
So how does that draw leave the standings? Combined with results elsewhere today, the picture is very intriguing indeed! Neither of these sides managed the win that might have seen them go top of the table, with that position occupied by Bayern. However, the Bavarians were stunned 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim, while Freiburg held Dortmund. Leverkusen and Leipzig are joint-top on 14 points, with the top eight clubs separated by just two points!
90'
+ 5
HONOURS EVEN!
Well it finshed 1-1 but it might easily have been 2-1 Leverkusen, as Volland was denied in the dying seconds by Leipzig custodian Gulacsi. As it is, it's a point for either side - not the worst result - and we can catch our breath.
Full-time
89'
Substitution
86'
87' ARANGUIZ HURT
Leipzig might have wished to press on for a winner after equalising, but the game has been interrupted for a spell here for treatment to Aranguiz, who was caught on the foot in a 50-50. The Chilean can't continue, and on comes Kerem Demirbay to replace him.
79'
79' NKUNKU WITH A BEAUTY!
Off the bench, away at a tough stadium, and Christopher Nkunku does this! Marcel Halstenberg fires in a cross that the young Frenchman controls on the run before taking the bouncing ball past a defender. He's suddenly one-on-one against Hradecky, whom he beats with the daintiest of finishes from six or seven yards, a delightful little lob that bounces into the net. He had so much to do, yet made it look so easy - the finish of a player with extraordinary talent.
76'
Substitution
76'
75' LEWANDOWSKI STRIKES
News has filtered through from Bavaria where Robert Lewandowski's purple patch has continued and Bayern Munich now lead Hoffenheim 2-1. So Die Werkself are no longer top of the standings - but they are on their way to a huge three points.
70'
Substitution
70'
18' BAYER ON TOP!
What a boost that is for Leverkusen, whose fans will know that with Freiburg and Bayern Munich both currently being held, their club sits atop the Bundesliga table as it stands.
67'
67' VOLLAND STRIKES!
We have a goal, and it's the hosts that have scored it, from the first shot for either side since the break! It's a simple goal, as Charles Aranquiz makes a powerful run into the box and squares low for Volland to tap home!
64'
64' SCHICK COMES ON
Patrick Schick, signed on loan from Roma in the summer, is on for his Bundesliga debut for the visitors.
63'
Substitution
60'
59' IT'S ALL GONE QUIET
After a first half that was like a basketball match, with chances galore, the second half has been decidedly short on goalmouth action so far, as Leipzig have struggled to find rhythm since the home side switched to a back four.
59'
Substitution
48'
48' LUCKY 13?
Leipzig have scored in a club-record 12 consecutive away matches in the Bundesliga.
47'
47' HOSTS SWITCH IT UP
Wendell's introduction in place of Sinkgraven has precipitated a switch to four at the back for Leverkusen. Perhaps that will restore some solidity in their defence, after a first half in which they were repeatedly exposed.
46'
Substitution
Kick-off!
45'
+ 1
GOALLESS, SOMEHOW
So that's that after a first half high on clear-cut chances, most of them to Leipzig, but low on goals. Cunha's hit the woodwork, while Werner's 100th Bundesliga appearance for Leipzig has been a story of near - and far - misses. Will we see some goals in the second half? You'd think so! Join us shortly.
Half-time
45'
BACK UNDERWAY!
Round 2, fight!
41'
38' BAYER REGROUPING
After that flurry of chances, and with the interval approaching, Bayer have slowed things down here to restore some calm. The defence have dropped off a touch and they're keeping possession to try and regain a foothold.
37'
36' WOODWORKERS
Cunha's attempt against the bar was the fifth time this season Leipzig have struck the frame of the goal. They also did it twice in their last game, the 3-1 home defeat to Schalke.
34'
33' LATHER, RINSE, REPEAT
There is a familiar pattern here. Leverkusen, defending with a very high line, are caught with one ball over the top and survive by the skin of their teeth. This time it's Marcel Sabitzer whose near-post effort was just the wrong side of the upright from Werner's low cross.
31'
29' OFF THE BAR!
Cunha, outside the box tries a speculative chip with a bouncing ball - it worked out well for him last season on this ground - and beats Hradecky, but not the crossbar! Another escape for Bayer!
27'
27' WERNER...!
What's happened here!? And where have Timo Werner's finishing boots gone? Lurking in his own half, he's sent clear after a long punt upfield and again bears down on goal. He sets himself, on his favoured right side, and shoots... but misses the target by a long way and crumples to the turf in disappointment. Leverkusen have started well but are forunate to still be on level terms.
21'
21' KEEP 'EM COMING PLEASE!
The chances, that is. Weiser sends in a teasing cross that Sven Bender glances goalwards, but just over the bar.
16'
15' "LUKAS HRADECKY! LUKAS HRADECKY!"
The home fans are singing their goalkeeper's name and no wonder after another brilliant one-on-one stop. Cunha released Werner into the penalty area and the chasing defender had no chance of recovering, but luckily for him, Hradecky stood tall again to block Werner's low right-foot strike. Leipzig could very easily be a couple of goals up here.
12'
12' DEMME CLEARS!
This is breathless stuff! After Weiser makes headway in the penalty area, he squares for Amiri, who has a sight of goal from eight yards. The Germany U-21 international shimmies left and is about to pull the trigger, before Diego Demme clears the ball from danger, saving a certain goal!
9'
8' HRADECKY TO THE RESCUE!
We knew there would be chances in this game, didn't we? Leipzig's first real attack almost brings a goal! Cunha, the scorer of that memorable effort last season, is sent clear on goal from an angle. He opens his body to shape a finish into the far corner, but Lukas Hradecky reads it and parries clear! Had Cunha squared to Timo Werner the goal would have been unguarded.
4'
4' CHANCE!
The first chance of the game falls Leverkusen's way, but it's not taken! A huge hole appears in the Leipzig defence and Havertz's ball dissect's it, releasing Amiri. The winger advances on goal but his held up and forced wide by Klostermann, and can only hit a tame shot into Peter Gulacsi's midriff.
1'
AWAY WE GO!
We're underway at the BayArena. This game finished 4-2 to Leipzig last season, with Brazilian striker Cunha scoring a chip so sumptious it was nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award. He's on the field today - will lightning strike twice?
Kick-off!
LEVERKUSEN ON THE OFFENSIVE
Dutch coaches tend to have a love of attacking football and Peter Bosz has plenty of firepower in his team today. He has Daley Sinkgraven at left-back, who will look to support Nadiem Amiri down the left, and Mitchell Weiser on the opposite flank. Throw in Kai Havertz and Karim Bellarabi behind Kevin Volland and there are plenty of goals in this team, even against such a good Leipzig defence.
NAGELSMANN THE TINKERMAN?
It appears Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann has gone with a three at the back and a wing-back system today. It's his preferred formation, the one he has utilised most since taking over in Saxony and the one that brought such success at Hoffenheim, but don't be surprised he he switches it up during the game today, as is his wont. He has the personnel to do so, with Marcel Halstenberg capable of moving to left-back or Lukas Klostermann to right-back.
LEIPZIG XI
Gulacsi – Klostermann, Upamecano, Orban (c) – Laimer, Sabitzer, Demme, Forsberg, Halstenberg – Cunha, Werner
LEVERKUSEN XI
Hradecky – Weiser, Tah, S. Bender, Sinkgraven – Baumgartlinger, Aranguiz – Havertz, Amiri, Bellarabi - Volland (c)
TEAMS ARE IN!
Here's how the sides line up today...
Welcome along to the match centre for the game Leverkusen vs. Leipzig from matchday 7 of the 2019/20 Bundesliga season at the BayArena. Check back here for full information on the match.