How will Bayer Leverkusen react to their first Bundesliga loss in over a year?
As brilliant as Bayer Leverkusen were in their domestic double-winning season, the day was always going to come when they'd lose a game again. After the moment finally came against RB Leipzig, the next question is how Xabi Alonso's side will react to that rare setback. bundesliga.com looks at the next steps for Die Werkself...
The Matchday 2 reverse to Leipzig was Leverkusen's first in the Bundesliga since the final day of 2022/23 away at Bochum - a run of 35 games that ranks as the third-longest unbeaten streak in the league's history.
Having previously bounced back from their disappointing loss in last season’s UEFA Europa League final to lift the DFB Cup days later in May, it’s unlikely that the Bayer camp will be too disheartened by defeat so early in the campaign against a strong Leipzig side. Having had the capacity to go so long unbeaten also points to an incredible mental strength from Die Werkself. However, it may send a signal to other Bundesliga clubs that they are not the same force as last season. Competitors Bayern Munich have won their opening two games, as have Leipzig now, and both will be determined to close the gap on Leverkusen and claim the title for themselves.
Watch: Leipzig topple Leverksusen at home
Despite not picking up maximum points, there were still plenty of positives to take from Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach’s opening two games, meaning there could be another fierce battle for the European places too, if Leverkusen were to fall far short of last season’s standards.
Including their last-minute winner against Gladbach on Matchday 1, Leverkusen have scored 41 goals since the start of last season after the 80th minute. Many sides may therefore feel that it was just a matter of time until they ran out of steam, or that beating them wasn’t as unachievable as it seemed to outsiders.
Nevertheless, even during their defeat, Leverkusen showed just how good a side they are, and how difficult it will be to defeat them again, as Leipzig’s Benjamin Henrichs pointed out afterwards.
“Leverkusen had a lot of control in the game, especially in the first half. Luckily, we scored a goal just before the half-time whistle, and this was very important for us because we went into the locker room after that and were motivated for the second half," the defender said.
"We knew that there was more to aim for in this game. We had a good second half and even though Leverkusen lost, they played very well. It’s very hard to play here, especially in the last few years, and I think both teams did a good job.”
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Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong also highlighted the fine margins that led to his side’s loss: “We just didn’t finish our chances today. We created a lot of chances today, but we just didn’t take them. If you don’t take your chances against an opponent like this, then you will lose.”
For now, it appears to just be the case of an entertaining, high-scoring game tipping in the favour of the other side for once, and nothing that will worry Alonso and his staff too much. Speaking to the media after the defeat, the Spaniard seemed composed, giving an honest reflection of the game:
“I would say that we played a really good first half. We were in the lead and had chances to make it 3-0. We conceded the 2-1 just before half-time, so there was a bit of a change of momentum. The mood was still good, but it was quite tight.
"In the second half, we didn’t create that many chances and we didn’t control the ball much, so the game was quite open. We conceded from two scenarios where we could have defended better, but this is football. We are used to not being defeated, but we will accept it. We probably didn’t deserve to lose today, but it’s part of the game and it is what it is.”
While delighted with his side’s victory and impressive performance, Leipzig boss Marco Rose also recognised that, “We also had a little bit of luck and a good goalkeeper” in addition to a clinical Loïs Openda to fire them to the three points.
Leverkusen have the international break to reset and draw further conclusions before travelling to Hoffenheim on Matchday 3 with the goal of getting back on track. A spell in April just after they won the title was the only time in recent memory where they failed to win back-to-back games, while it's some 16 months since they lost more than once in a row.
The world will be watching for a reaction, especially with the start of the UEFA Champions League also just around the corner.
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