Gutierrez inspires Bayer Leverkusen to victory over RB Leipzig

Bayer Leverkusen ended a run of one win in five Bundesliga matches as Miguel Gutierrez’s goal and assist secured a 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig at the BayArena.

The result extends Leverkusen’s impressive record in Sunday league fixtures, with just one defeat in their past 31 such matches (W20, D10).

Leipzig made the sharper start and created the first clear openings. Neil El Aynaoui controlled a free-kick on the edge of the area before striking powerfully towards goal, but Mark Flekken reacted superbly to keep the effort out.

The Leverkusen goalkeeper was tested again two minutes later when Ezechiel Banzuzi unleashed a long-range shot towards the bottom-left corner. Flekken was equal to it.

Leipzig thought they had taken the lead in the 35th minute after a swift attacking move. Tidiam Gomis sent the ball over Facundo Medina and into the path of Romulo, who then squared neatly for Christopher Nkunku to finish.

However, a VAR review found Romulo to have been narrowly offside and the goal was disallowed.

Leverkusen took advantage just before half-time. Gutierrez delivered a long cross from the left and Patrik Schick slid in to turn the ball into the net.

The hosts had arrived at the match with only one league win in their previous five games, with that victory coming in the corresponding fixture in May, and there was still some tension inside the BayArena.

Gutierrez dispelled it 10 minutes into the second half. After Leipzig failed to clear, the Leverkusen midfielder collected the loose ball and fired a low shot from just outside the penalty area into the bottom-left corner, beyond the reach of Maarten Vandevoordt.

Schick had an opportunity to add a second shortly after the hour mark when he ran on to a defence-splitting pass, but his finish went too close to Vandevoordt.

The Czech forward was then replaced by Christiane Kofane, who came close to contributing himself. He narrowly missed a diving header at the far post while attempting to meet a low cross from Moussa Diaby.

Leipzig also threatened late on, with Ibrahim Maza seeing a powerful effort deflect wide at the near post, but Leverkusen held on comfortably.

The victory means Leverkusen have lost only one of their past 10 Bundesliga home matches. It is an especially notable result given that Leipzig began the weekend as the division’s second-highest scorers.

After their lively opening, Leipzig were unable to maintain their attacking threat, although they remain within reach of the top four as the Bundesliga table begins to take shape.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Miguel Gutierrez (Bayer Leverkusen)