Bundesliga: Volland the savior for unconvincing Leverkusen
November 23, 2018
Kevin Volland scored a late double as Bayer Leverkusen kicked off Matchday 12 with a victory over Stuttgart. But despite the three points, it was another largely unconvincing performance by Heiko Herrlich's side.
For long periods this game had been Leverkusen's season in a microcosm. Domination of possession, several chances created, but a lack of composure in front of goal. That scenario played out time and time again as the three points gradually slipped away from a Leverkusen side whose domestic under-achievement can be rivalled only by Schalke this season.
Leverkusen rode their luck too. Stuttgart's Pablo Maffeo smartly got away from Julian Brandt and Tin Jedvaj before being upended in the box by Charles Aranguiz. Nothing was given, despite the clear trip, and those are the kinds of decisions that are not helping Stuttgart's cause as they recorded another defeat, making their victory at Nuremberg last time out look more like an anomaly than the start of a revival. For Markus Weinzierl, it's back to the drawing board.
When Leverkusen break, they do so with speed and purpose and it's hard to fathom why Friday night's victory only takes them to 10th, when they have the players to be in the top four. Chances came and went for Leverkusen, who grew increasingly desperate as the second half wore on. A slick counter-attack saw Brandt feed Karim Bellarabi, whose low cross from the left was begging to be converted — but Volland couldn't direct the ball into the gaping net.
Volland settled the game in Leverkusen's favor with a thumping volley.Image: imago/J. Schüler
But Volland eventually proved Leverkusen's savior. His knack of being in the right place at the right time was this time matched by his knack for scoring vital goals, and his header from close range after a short corner was met with relief around a sparsely filled BayArena.
Rather than protect their slender lead and grind out the win, the 76th minute opener liberated the hosts, who played the remainder of the game like they had something to prove. Pouring forward at every opportunity, Leverkusen overwhelmed Stuttgart in the final minutes and the visitors had no way of keeping out Volland's second, when it came with seven minutes to play. The striker didn't break stride as a he received Kai Havertz's cross from the right to lash in a thumping volley.
The result, while deserved on the balance of play, was a little flattering to a Heiko Herrlich's side, who made heavy weather of it for long periods. And had a key mistake by the officials not gone against Stuttgart, this may had been when Stuttgart were celebrating drawing level on points with their opponents. A win is a win, but this one will do little to silence Leverkusen's doubters.
Bundesliga: Matchday 12 roundup
Dortmund did more than maintain their cushion at the top of the table, largely thanks to a spectacular result in Munich. Frankfurt's forwards impressed again, while Leipzig found no joy in Wolfsburg.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Vennenbernd
Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-1 Hannover
Bobby Wood gave Hannover the lead after just 22 seconds at Borussia Park but Gladbach recovered in style, eventually winning 4-1 thanks to goals from Thorgan Hazard, Michael Lang, Lars Stindl and Denis Zakaria. The Foals have now won five of their last six Bundesliga games and are Dortmund's closest challengers in second.
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/M. Hitij
Bayern Munich 3-3 Fortuna Düsseldorf
A last-minute equalizer from Düsseldorf spoiled Bayern Munich's day and put the pressure back on Niko Kovac. Two goals from Thomas Müller appeared to set Bayern on track, but Düsseldorf battled back from 3-1 down in dramatic fashion. Dodi Lukebakio scored three similar goals, racing in behind Bayern's backline. After VAR correctly gave his second, the striker scored his third in the 93rd minute.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Balk
Freiburg 1-1 Werder Bremen
Ludwig Augustinsson's dramatic late equalizer earned Werder Bremen a point in a frenentic finale at Schwarzwald-Stadion. Freiburg took the lead just before half-time through Luca Waldschmidt's penalty, which was awarded after VAR intervened. Freiburg desperately tried to hang on for their first win in three, but Augustinsson had other ideas, turning the ball in from close range.
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/A. Grimm
Schalke 5-2 Nuremberg
Schalke scored five goals for the first time under Domenico Tedesco as they inflicted Nuremberg's latest hammering. Steven Skrzybski scored twice on his first start for the Royal Blues with goals from Amine Harit, Guido Burgstaller and Bastian Oczipka completing the rout. Nuremberg twice reduced the deficit to 2-1 and then 3-2 but were reduced to ten men when Robert Bauer was sent off.
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/M. Hitij
Hertha Berlin 3-3 Hoffenheim
In a six-goal thriller in Berlin, neither side went home victorious after Valentino Lazaro scored a brilliant goal three minutes from time. Three goals in the opening 12 minutes saw the visitors lead 2-1 and when Ermin Bicakcic scored 10 minutes after the start, it looked to be all over for the hosts. But Davie Selke made an impact off the bench and helped spark Hertha's comeback.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Stache
Wolfsburg 1-0 RB Leipzig
A single goal from Jerome Roussillon, which at least half of which was thanks to Daniel Ginczek. The former Dortmund striker showed superb control and determination to create the chance, and all his teammate had to do in the end was turn in the rebound. The result was perhaps a little harsh on Leipzig but it means Ralf Rangnick's team tasted Bundesliga defeat for the first time since opening day.
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/C. Müller
Augsburg 1-3 Frankfurt
A goal from Jonathan de Guzman inside the opening minute gave Frankfurt the start they wanted, and they never really looked back. Sebastien Haller scored to take his tally to nine after 12 games, before Ante Rebic tapped in a third. The win sees Frankfurt take second spot on goal difference, with Gladbach playing on Sunday.
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/A. Pretty
Mainz 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
A brilliant curling effort from Lukasz Piszczek was enough to give Dortmund the win in Mainz, and extend their lead at the top to seven points. Paco Alcacer had given the visitors the lead off the bench but Mainz equalized just minutes later thanks to Robin Quaison. Piszczek's wonder goal was worthy of winning the game - and it did just that in a scrappy affair for Lucien Favre's team.
Image: Reuters/R. Orlowski
Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Stuttgart
Kevin Volland struck two late goals as Bayer Leverkusen turned one point into three against Bundesliga cellar-dwellers Stuttgart. The game had been drifting towards a goalless draw before Volland atoned for a big miss to score twice and send Leverkusen into mid-table.
