THREE THINGS WE LEARNED AS BAYER LEVERKUSEN EDGED PAST RB LEIPZIG IN A BUNDESLIGA CLASSIC

Bayer Leverkusen overcame a relentless RB Leipzig side 3-2 in Saxony to ensure that they will be at the top of the Bundesliga table on matchday 19, regardless of Bayern Munich’s game in hand. However, it would be the hosts who would dominate the early proceedings, and they would make the most of their dominance with a sumptuous Xavi Simons effort after just seven minutes. Nevertheless, while the first half would see both sides create chances, a lack of clinical finishing would see the tie head into the break with Leipzig boasting a 1-0 lead.

Regardless, while the first half would be riddled with a lack of lethal finishing, the second would be the complete opposite. As the game entered the final stages, the tie would be evenly set at 2-2 after two goals from Nathan Tella and Jonathan Tah were sandwiched by a Loïs Openda strike. Nonetheless, as the clock ticked on, a match-winning goal seemed to get further and further away, until Piero Hincapié fired home a second consecutive 90th-minute winner for Leverkusen. A result that will hurt Leipzig, but for the Werkself, it could be the difference come May.

Leipzig’s inconsistencies will haunt them

Despite losing a number of key players in the summer, RB Leipzig were still considered to be one of the favourites for the Meisterschale at the start of the campaign. However, while they have been breathtaking at times this season, their inconsistent form will prevent them from lifting silverware at the end of the season.