Bayer Leverkusen kept the pressure firmly on Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga title race with a comfortable 2-0 victory over bottom-dwelling Holstein Kiel.
As expected, Leverkusen started the game with an aggressive approach, creating a flurry of chances within the first five minutes. The best of these fell to Patrik Schick, whose header from an Alejandro Grimaldo corner was cleared off the line by Kiel’s Shūto Machino. However, the reprieve for Kiel was short-lived as Schick quickly found his range. Reacting swiftly in the box, he capitalized on a delivery from Amine Adli to give Leverkusen the lead.
Kiel did offer a brief reminder that they weren’t going to roll over easily when Magnus Knudsen broke free from deep. His effort, however, was well smothered by Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
Set-pieces proved to be Kiel’s biggest vulnerability, and they were fortunate not to concede again midway through the first half when Adli was left unmarked but could only direct his header straight at Kiel’s keeper, Timon Weiner.
Adli eventually made amends for his earlier miss in the 44th minute. After being slipped through by Florian Wirtz, Adli lifted the ball delicately over the onrushing Weiner to double Leverkusen’s lead. The two-goal advantage was a fair reflection of their dominance, and they went into the break in complete control.
Kiel came out stronger in the second half, stringing together a series of attacks, though they failed to trouble the Leverkusen defense. It was actually the visitors who had the first clear-cut chance of the half, forcing Weiner into a full-stretch save to deny Edmond Tapsoba. Weiner was called into action again just an hour into the game, saving well from Wirtz at close range.
Wirtz, Leverkusen’s standout player, was eager to add a goal to his performance, but his efforts continued to go off target. Fifteen minutes from time, he fired a shot inches wide, and his frustration began to show.
The attacking midfielder had one last attempt to break his duck when he was teed up by Emiliano Buendía, but once again, Weiner was equal to the task, stopping Wirtz’s tired effort with ease.
Ultimately, that miss proved inconsequential as the result was never in doubt. Xabi Alonso’s side cruised to a well-deserved victory, securing their first away league win since early January.
