Die Werkself came from behind to draw 2-2 with a spirited SC Freiburg this afternoon.
| Photo: Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images. |
The Europa-Park Stadion was the stage for perhaps the most meaningful game of the weekend as Champions League chasing SC Freiburg hosted a Leverkusen side requiring a win to keep their slim title ambitious alive. In the end, a draw would gift the Meisterschale to Bayern Munich.
It took a while for this game to come to life as Die Werkself struggled to break down Freiburg’s teak tough defence. Aside from two mistakes from Tah and Tapsoba which ought to have been punished, chances were few and far between.
Max Rosenfelder’s header from a Ritsu Dōan corner in the 30th-minute was the first clear attempt at goal. Matěj Kovář was required to act in the next attack as the 24-year-old closed the angle to parry Patrick Osterhage’s effort.
However, the Breisgauers’ midfielder was not to be deterred as he make it 1-0 just before the interval. Having skipped out of a duel with Buendia on the edge of the box, Osterhage took a touch before rocketing the ball past Kovář. The Europa-Park erupted with ecstasy.
Julian Schuster’s men kicked off the second-half with a bang as they doubled their advantage. Johan Manzambi played a one-two with Ritsu Dōan who crossed the latter ball towards the back post. Manzambi managed to flick it across goal which Piero Hincapié turned into his own net under pressure from Adamu.
With his side in trouble, Xabi Alonso turned to his bench after the hour mark as Amine Adli, Arthur and Exequiel Palacios replaced Garcia, Tapsoba and a visibly frustrated Buendia. Leverkusen clawed it back to 2-1 after Wirtz worked a give-and-go with Grimaldo to pick out the lower left corner from range in the 82nd-minute.
Suddenly the reigning champions arose from their slumber and looked like their old selves. With 5 minutes of injury time added on, Nathan Tella delivered the ball to the front post where Jonathan Tah glanced pasta sprawling Florian Müller. A share of the spoils in the end but more importantly a result that crowns Bayern Munich as Bundesliga winners.
