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Nathan Tella scores the winning goal
Photo:
pepphoto / Horst Mauelshagen / IMAGO
Bayer Leverkusen equaled its club record of 21 wins in a season.
In the home game against VfL Wolfsburg, coach Xabi Alonso's team won 2-0 (1-0) with goals from Nathan Tella (37th minute) and Florian Wirtz (86th).
Leverkusen had already achieved this many victories three times (1996/1997, 1999/2000 and 2001/2002).
With a ten point lead over second-placed FC Bayern Munich, the Werkself remain on course for the championship.
Wolfsburg, on the other hand, remained winless for the tenth game in a row and is now in 13th place with seven points to the relegation place.
B04 playmaker Florian Wirtz started the game with a hit on the post after a lob pass from Granit Xhaka (22').
Shortly afterwards, Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky had to wipe a long-range shot from Cedric Zesiger over the crossbar (25th), which was Wolfsburg's only chance in the first half.
Two yellows in just 28 minutes
The fact that VfL appeared so harmless was also due to Moritz Jenz being sent off (28'). The defender had stepped on Patrik Schick's instep with his sole on the right corner of the penalty area, for which he received his second yellow card.
The defender had previously been warned for a tactical foul (12th).
With the advantage, Leverkusen didn't need long to take the lead: Alejandro Grimaldo made space for a cross on the left side, and Tella headed his fifth goal of the season unchallenged in the middle (37th).
Grimaldo's next cross landed at Piero Hincapié, whose header was just saved by VfL keeper Koen Casteels (40th).
Leverkusen's numerical superiority was also reflected in play.
The game mainly took place in Wolfsburg's half, where VfL entrenched themselves around their own penalty area and Leverkusen tried to get through.
This only happened in the 86th minute, when Exequiel Palacios chipped into the penalty area and Wirtz scored the final score with a volley (86th).
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