Bayer Leverkusen rejuvenated their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 5-0 victory over RB Salzburg on Tuesday. Florian Wirtz was the star of the match, scoring twice as the home team dominated from start to finish.
Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager of Salzburg was the only reason the scoreline wasn’t even more lopsided. This victory moves Leverkusen up to 10 points in their group, while Salzburg remains on three points after suffering their fourth defeat in five matches.
Lineups
Bayer Leverkusen’s starting lineup included Lukáš Hrádecký in goal, Jeremie Frimpong, Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, and Alejandro Grimaldo in defense, Granit Xhaka, Exequiel Palacios, and Kerem Demirbay in midfield, and a forward line of Florian Wirtz, Patrik Schick, and Moussa Diaby.
FC Salzburg fielded Alexander Schlager in goal, Oumar Solet, Bernardo, Samson Baidoo, and Amar Dedic in defense, Nicolas Seiwald, Luka Sucic, and Maurits Kjærgaard in midfield, and a forward trio of Karim Konaté, Noah Okafor, and Benjamin Sesko.
How the Match Unfolded
Leverkusen wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Florian Wirtz scoring from the penalty spot in the eighth minute after Samson Baidoo’s handball. Just three minutes later, Alejandro Grimaldo doubled the lead with a stunning free-kick that left Schlager rooted to the spot.
Leverkusen continued to pressure Salzburg, and Wirtz added his second goal of the match and fifth in five Champions League games on the half-hour mark. He collected Grimaldo’s pass on the edge of the area, dribbled past two defenders, and sent his low shot into the far corner.
Salzburg struggled to cope with Leverkusen’s relentless pressure and were fortunate not to concede more goals before halftime. Schlager made several crucial saves to keep his team in the game, denying Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, Exequiel Palacios, and Granit Xhaka.
The game was two minutes old when Wirtz signaled the danger, twisting and turning in the area before getting a shot away, which Schlager managed to save.
The intensity dropped a little after the break, but Leverkusen still found it too simple to create chances. Patrik Schick scored the fourth goal in the 61st minute, tapping in a perfect cross from Frimpong.
Alonso began to make substitutions, and one of the substitutes, Aleix Garcia, got on the end of a Wirtz cross to send a powerful shot into the net in the 72nd minute to finish off the scoring.
Post-Match Analysis
Leverkusen’s comprehensive win underscored a solid attack and finishing. Wirtz’s two goals and overall performance earned him the Player of the Match award. Leverkusen displayed excellent teamwork and strategy, effectively shutting down Salzburg’s attempts to counterattack.
On the other hand, Salzburg struggled to find its rhythm and was overwhelmed by Leverkusen’s relentless pressure. The disparity in performance, as can be seen in the chart below, was evident as Salzburg failed to register any real threats to Leverkusen’s goal.
Alexander Schlager’s efforts in goal were commendable, as his saves prevented an even more significant defeat for Salzburg. Not minding the scoreline, his performance was among the few bright spots for the visitors.
What the Coaches Said
Glad Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso praised his team’s performance: “We showed great intensity and quality from the start. It’s a very satisfying win and gives us confidence for the next matches. The players executed the game plan perfectly and took their chances well.“
Salzburg manager Pep Lijnders acknowledged problems with his team: “It was a tough match for us. Leverkusen were very strong, and we need to improve in many areas to compete at this level. We need to learn from this and work harder to avoid such mistakes in the future.“
Player of the Match
Florian Wirtz was voted the Player of the Match for his impressive performance, including scoring twice and providing an assist.
What Next
Bayer Leverkusen will look to build on this impressive win when they host Inter Milan in their next Champions League fixture. FC Salzburg, meanwhile, has to find a way to bounce back as they take on Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at home. Both teams must reassess their strategies to prepare for their upcoming challenges.
Other Results
Comment, Like 👍, share this article, and Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
