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Granit Xhaka and Robert Andrich: “Just pull it off” as a recipe for success

Photo: Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images

Bayer Leverkusen didn't let FSV Mainz 05 stop them.

The Bundesliga table leaders won 2-1 (1-1) against the cheeky relegation candidates and are eleven points ahead of FC Bayern Munich, who will host RB Leipzig on Saturday (6.30 p.m.), at least for one night.

Granit Xhaka (3rd minute) and Robert Andrich (68th) scored for Leverkusen, Mainz's equalizer was scored by Dominik Kohr (8th).

In the final phase, Mainz's Jessic Ngankam saw the red card (80th).

Leverkusen's dream start came about in a strange way: After a short free kick, Xhaka first put the ball on the left wing.

Alejandro Grimaldo wanted to hit the cross there - but the ball deflected back to Xhaka, who shot directly from the left corner of the penalty area.

The centrally placed flutter ball came unexpectedly for Robin Zentner and flew over Mainz' goalkeeper into the goal (3').

The guests, who were threatened with relegation, had taken with them the self-confidence from Bo Henriksen's successful debut as coach the previous week.

A free kick from the half field also helped them: Leverkusen loanee Nadiem Amiri stepped up, Silvan Widmer headed the long ball into the middle, where Dominik Kohr was also there with a header (8th).

Frimpong, Alonso and fans argue with the referee

As a result, an uneasy first half developed with chances on both sides, in which referee Timo Gerach's generous line also played its part: Leverkusen came through Jonas Hofmann (16th/40th) and a direct free kick from Grimaldo (43rd). on occasions, but also always struggled with Mainz's toughness.

Shortly before the break, Jeremie Frimpong and coach Xabi Alonso were each shown yellow cards because they had complained too loudly about a tactical foul by the guests that went unpunished.

With whistles blowing for the referee, we went into the dressing room - after just two minutes of added time: In the first Bundesliga game after the DFL's investor deal failed, the organized fan scene, as expected, refrained from any further disruptive actions.

The Mainz defense did not refrain from disruptive actions, and Leverkusen found it difficult to create clear chances.

Instead, Philipp Mwene's header (49') and Lee Jae-sung, who intercepted a pass from Edmond Tapsoba (55'), had opportunities for Mainz.

Alonso brought in Patrik Schick, a center forward, in place of Hofmann - which helped to push the guests closer to their own penalty area.

But salvation came with a long-range shot - with the help of the goalkeeper: Andrich shot from almost 30 meters, the actually harmless shot slipped through Zentner's fingers and he was no longer able to grab the ball in front of the goal line (68th).

The guests were unable to make a final offensive, and Ngankam's dismissal after a serious foul on Xhaka made a possible comeback even more difficult (80').

With still 15 points, Mainz remains in 17th place in the relegation zone.

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