CHAPTER 635: CHAPTER 635 BUSY

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[26/09/2020 | Bundesliga Week 2 | BayArena, Leverkusen Bayer Leverkusen V RB Leipzig | Attendance: 6,042]

The BayArena felt different with fans back inside, even if only 6,042 of them. Their voices echoed through the vast stadium, creating pockets of noise that reminded everyone what football was supposed to sound like. Leverkusen had chosen to allow the maximum permitted capacity, and those fortunate enough to secure tickets were determined to make their presence felt.

"Welcome to the BayArena for what promises to be a fascinating encounter," Wolff-Christoph Fuss announced as the teams lined up. "RB Leipzig, still smarting from their Champions League semi-final defeat to this very Leverkusen side back in August, come seeking revenge. Julian Nagelsmann has made several changes from their clash against Mainz."

The match started at a blistering pace, both teams refusing to cede an inch of territory. Leipzig, still carrying the weight of that Champions League heartbreak, came out aggressively, pressing high and forcing Leverkusen into uncomfortable positions.

[12’]

Leipzig struck first through a moment of individual brilliance. Dani Olmo picked up the ball in midfield, turned Aránguiz inside out with a beautiful piece of skill, and threaded a pass through to Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman was off like a sprinter, his pace leaving Sven trailing as he burst into the box.

Hrádecký rushed out to narrow the angle, but Nkunku’s finish was ice-cold, slotting it coolly past the keeper. The travelling Leipzig fans, a few hundred scattered in the away section, erupted with joy. "NKUNKU!" Wolff roared. "Leipzig has their revenge goal! What a finish from the Frenchman!"

[RB Leipzig 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen — Nkunku 12’]

Leverkusen tried to respond immediately, but Leipzig’s defensive shape was excellent. Upamecano and Konaté formed an imperious partnership at the back, dealing with everything Leverkusen threw at them. Wirtz and Demirbay probed for openings, but Leipzig’s midfield press was suffocating.

[34’]

Bosz made a tactical adjustment, bringing on Rakim for the struggling Bellarabi in the thirty-fourth minute. The seventeen-year-old had been on the bench after picking up a minor knock in training, but he was good enough to be included in the squad.

Within minutes, he created Leverkusen’s best chance of the half. Upon receiving the ball on the left, he drove at Mukiele at speed, executing a speedy La Croqueta, and glided past the defender. His cross was dangerous, finding Patrik Schick at the near post, but Gulácsi made a brilliant reaction save.

[67’]

The equaliser came from a set piece. Demirbay’s corner was whipped in with pace, and Jonathan Tah, who had come on for Tapsoba at halftime, rose above everyone to power a header past Gulácsi. The BayArena erupted, the around 4,000 home fans making noise that felt like ten times that number.

"TAH!" Wolff bellowed. "Leverkusen are level! And what a leap from the centre-back!"

[RB Leipzig 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen — Tah 67’]

Leipzig tried to hit back immediately, throwing men forward, but it didn’t lead to much. Rakim had one glorious opportunity in the seventy-eighth minute, racing clear after a brilliant through ball from Wirtz, but Gulácsi came charging out and made a brave block. The final whistle brought mixed emotions, leaving both teams content with a point.

"We created enough chances to win three matches," Bosz said in his press conference. "But Leipzig defended well, and Gulácsi was excellent. We take the point and move on."

[FT: VfB Stuttgart 1 V 1 Bayer Leverkusen]

~~~

[03/10/2020 | Bundesliga Week 3 | Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart | VfB Stuttgart V Bayer Leverkusen | Attendance: 9,500]

Stuttgart, newly promoted, chose to allow 9,500 fans into its stadium, creating an atmosphere as close to normal as German football had seen since March. The home crowd was raucous, determined to help their team cause an upset.

"Stuttgart are unbeaten in their opening two matches," Kai Dittmann noted as the teams emerged. "Pellegrino Matarazzo has them playing attractive football, and the fans believe they can compete tonight." They believed correctly, at least initially.

[8’]

Stuttgart stunned Leverkusen with an early goal. Silas Wamangituka, the Congolese winger, received the ball on the right and burned past Wendell with devastating pace. His cross was perfect, finding Sasa Kalajdzic at the back post.

The Austrian striker rose highest, powering a header past Hrádecký, and the Mercedes-Benz Arena exploded. The 9,500 fans roared their approval, Happy to see their team score early. "KALAJDZIC!" Wolff screamed. "Stuttgart have taken the lead! What a start!"

[VfB Stuttgart 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen — Kalajdzic 8’]

[15’]

Leverkusen’s response was swift and ruthless as Rakim picked up the ball on the left, faced up against Stuttgart’s right-back Marc Oliver Kempf. A stepover, a change of direction, and suddenly he was gone. His low cross found Schick arriving at the near post, and the Czech footballer couldn’t miss from three yards.

"WIRTZ!" Wolff roared. "Leverkusen are level already! What a response!"

[VfB Stuttgart 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen — Wirtz 15’]

[23’]

Eight minutes later, Rakim struck for himself. Demirbay played a sumptuous through ball over Stuttgart’s defence, and Rakim was onto it in a flash. His first touch took him past the last defender, beating the offside line, racing away from the chasing defenders.

Gregor Kobel in the Stuttgart goal had no choice but to charge out as he entered the box, but before he could get close, the winger had blasted it past him. "REX WITH HIS FIRST!" Kai exclaimed. "Pure speed and power were all he needed!"

[VfB Stuttgart 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen — Rex 23’]

[38’]

Stuttgart tried to respond, but Leverkusen were ramping things up, attacking faster and stronger. Diaby made it three before halftime. Rakim cut through the middle, driving forward a couple of yards before slipping a perfectly weighted pass through to the Frenchman.

Diaby used his pace to leave the nearby defender trailing, and his finish was clinical, slotting it past Kobel with ease. "DIABY!" Wolff bellowed. "Three goals in thirty-eight minutes! Leverkusen are running riot!"

[VfB Stuttgart 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen — Diaby 38’]

[Second Half]

Stuttgart came out with renewed determination, pressing higher and creating chances. Wamangituka had a few good looks, his pace causing problems for Leverkusen’s fullbacks. In the fifty-sixth minute, he forced Hrádecký into a brilliant save, tipping his curling effort over the bar.

But Leverkusen sealed the victory in the seventy-second minute when Rakim completed his brace. A flowing move saw Amiri, Demirbay, and Alario combine beautifully before the ball found its way to Rakim on the edge of the box. He curled it all the way to the top right corner beyond Kobel’s reach.

"REX AGAIN!" Kai roared. "His second of the night and what a goal! Pure technique!"

The final whistle confirmed the victory as Rakim walked off with the match ball, his two goals and assist earning him man of the match honours.

[VfB Stuttgart 1-4 Bayer Leverkusen — Rex 72’]

[FT: VfB Stuttgart 1:3 Bayer Leverkusen]

~~~

[17/10/2020 | Bundesliga Week 4 | MEWA Arena, Mainz | FSV Mainz 05 V Bayer Leverkusen | Attendance: 250]

The MEWA Arena felt eerie with only 250 fans scattered throughout the vast space. Mainz had chosen extreme caution due to rising COVID cases in the region, and the atmosphere suffered for it. "This is as close to playing behind closed doors as we’ve seen," Wolff observed as the teams lined up. "Only essential personnel and a handful of fans. Mainz will need all the help they can get—they’re still searching for their first win of the season."

[19’]

In the nineteenth minute, Mainz took a surprise lead through Robin Quaison. The Swedish striker latched onto a loose ball in Leverkusen’s box after Tah’s clearance hit Sven Bender and fell kindly. Quaison didn’t hesitate, lashing it past Hrádecký from close range.

"QUAISON!" Kai exclaimed. "Mainz takes the lead early!" The goal energised the tiny crowd, their voices echoing bizarrely around the empty stadium.

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To Be Continued...