Bayer Leverkusen come from behind to beat RB Leipzig 3-1 in a thrilling Bundesliga clash as first half goals sparked a key away victory that saw the visitors leapfrog their hosts to third place.
Bayer Leverkusen produced a spirited comeback to beat RB Leipzig 3 -1 at the Red Bull Arena. The visitors overturned a first half deficit to leapfrog Leipzig into third place in the Bundesliga standings heading into festive break. It was an important away win against a side with a perfect home record. The result keeps Leverkusen firmly in the title race.
Both teams began at a high tempo and traded early chances. Patrik Schick was denied by Peter Gulacsi after breaking through in the fifth minute. Leipzig responded quickly as Tidiam Gomis fired over following a sharp counter. The contest promised goals from the opening exchanges.
Leipzig gradually gained control and began to push Leverkusen deeper. Willi Orban missed a free header from a set piece when left unmarked. That warning went unanswered by the visitors who found themselves training moments later. Xaver Schlager opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a low finish from the edge of the area.
Christoph Baumgartner provided the assist after a quick throw in. Schlager’s strike capped a strong spell for the hosts. Leipzig looked on course to extend their impressive home form. The lead, however, was short lived.
Leverkusen responded immediately and showed real attacking quality. Martin Terrier equalised five minutes later with a looping header. Arthur delivered an early cross that caught Leipzig’s defence flat footed. The goal shifted momentum sharply and left Leipzig scrambling to regroup.
The visitors completed the turnaround before the break. Nathan Tella released Schick through the middle in the 44th minute. The striker cut inside and fired into the roof of the net against his former club. Three goals arrived in nine minutes to completely transform the match.
Leipzig emerged strongly after the interval and pressed for an equaliser. Conrad Harder wasted two good chances inside the opening ten minutes. Mark Flekken produced a key save to deny Schlager late on. The hosts dominated possession but lacked composure in front of goal.
Leverkusen gradually regained control and defended with discipline. They limited space between the lines and slowed the tempo. Leipzig continued to push numbers forward. That approach left gaps late on. Deep in stoppage time, substitute Montrell Culbreath put the tie past RB Leipzig. The 18-year-old marked his Bundesliga debut with a neat finish following a swift counter attack.
Schick was central to Leverkusen’s attacking threat throughout. His movement stretched Leipzig’s defence and his goal proved decisive. Terrier also impressed with his work rate and clinical header. At the back, Jonathan Tah led well under pressure.
For Leipzig, Schlager stood out despite the defeat. His goal and energy drove the midfield. Gulacsi made important early saves but was exposed by defensive lapses. Leipzig struggled to cope once Leverkusen increased intensity.
Leverkusen generated 2.72 expected goals from 15 shots. Eight of those efforts were on target. Leipzig produced 1.77 xG from 19 attempts. This was Leipzig’s first home defeat of the Bundesliga season.
The visitors scored twice from quick transitions. Leipzig conceded three goals at home for only the fourth time this year. Leverkusen now sit within three points of second place Borussia Dortmund.
Leverkusen return from the winter break on Saturday 10th January. They host VfB Stuttgart in a key Bundesliga fixture. Leipzig travel to face St Pauli in their next league match. Both sides remain firmly in the race for Champions League places.
