Bayer Leverkusen secured a vital 3:1 victory over VfL Bochum, intensifying the title race against Bayern Munich. Aleix Garcia opened the scoring, followed by an equalizer from Felix Passlack. Leverkusen regained control in the second half with goals from Victor Boniface and Amine Adli. Bochum’s coach expressed frustration over officiating, while Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah emphasized their determination to succeed this season. Leverkusen’s next match is against Heidenheim, while Bochum will host VfB Stuttgart.
Bayer Leverkusen Triumphs Over Bochum, Intensifying Title Race
Bayer Leverkusen has ramped up the pressure on Bayern Munich in the title chase, securing a crucial victory against VfL Bochum on Friday night. The match ended with a score of 3:1, but Bochum displayed remarkable determination and voiced their concerns over the officiating.
Leverkusen opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a goal from Aleix Garcia, but Bochum equalized shortly after through Felix Passlack in the 26th minute. The second half saw Leverkusen take control, with Victor Boniface (60th minute) and Amine Adli (87th minute) sealing the win and solidifying their position in the championship race.
Referee Controversy and Tactical Analysis
After the match, Bochum’s coach Dieter Hecking shared his disappointment regarding referee Sven Jablonski’s performance. In a post-match interview, he stated, “I don’t want to put all the blame on the referee, but we are frustrated with a couple of his calls. His early officiating was overly strict; had he maintained that standard, we might have avoided conceding two goals and deserved a penalty.” His comments reflect the team’s sentiment as they left the field feeling that they could have achieved a better outcome.
Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah emphasized the importance of the victory, noting, “We aimed to send a strong message that we won’t back down; we aspire to achieve great things by the end of this season.” He acknowledged Bochum’s solid defensive strategy but highlighted Leverkusen’s improved ball movement in the second half, which helped them find the necessary openings.
This match was a notable shift for Leverkusen’s coach Xabi Alonso, who typically fielded a more defensive lineup. This time, he opted for two center forwards, pairing Victor Boniface with Patrik Schick. This bold tactic nearly backfired early on when Boniface’s attempt to clear a ball in his penalty area resulted in a close call that was not penalized, much to Bochum’s dismay.
Despite dominating possession, Leverkusen struggled to create clear chances initially. A well-placed shot from Aleix Garcia finally broke the deadlock, but Bochum quickly responded, capitalizing on a defensive miscue from Granit Xhaka. Passlack’s equalizer demonstrated Bochum’s resilience, reminiscent of their recent comeback against Bayern Munich.
The match continued to be competitive, with both teams defending effectively, leading to a narrow shot count advantage for Leverkusen by halftime. In the second half, Boniface again made his presence felt, scoring the decisive goal after a well-timed free kick. Despite complaints from Bochum regarding an offside call, Leverkusen maintained their lead and continued to defend staunchly.
In the final moments, Xhaka had a chance to extend the lead to 4:1, but his shot struck both posts and remained in play. Looking ahead, Leverkusen will face Heidenheim away on April 5, while Bochum prepares to host VfB Stuttgart in their next Bundesliga match on Saturday.