Bayer Leverkusen took a significant step forward in their Bundesliga title challenge with a 3-1 victory over Bochum at the BayArena on Friday. With the win, Xabi Alonso’s side cut Bayern Munich’s lead at the top of the table to just three points, at least temporarily, as the title race intensifies with seven games remaining.
Leverkusen entered the match with renewed confidence following their dramatic 4-3 win over Stuttgart before the international break. However, they had struggled in recent home games, failing to score in their last three outings at the BayArena. Bochum, fighting to avoid relegation, had won just one of their previous four league matches but had pulled off a stunning 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich a few weeks earlier.
Although they started slowly, Leverkusen gradually took control of the game. They scored the opening goal in the 20th minute when Aleix Garcia received a pass from outside the penalty area and elegantly curved the ball over Timo Horn. However, their lead didn't last long. Granit Xhaka, who misjudged a header, unexpectedly handed the ball to Georgios Masouras, whose shot was saved by Lukas Hradecky. However, the rebound was beautifully volleyed into the net by Felix Passlack, bringing Bochum level just six minutes later.
Bochum’s equaliser unsettled Leverkusen, and they struggled to create clear-cut chances for the rest of the first half. The teams went into halftime tied at 1-1, leaving the home crowd anxious about another slip-up. However, Alonso’s halftime team talk seemed to inject new energy into his side.
Leverkusen came out stronger in the second half, with Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick both going close early on. The breakthrough came in the 60th minute when Piero Hincapié’s cross found Boniface at the far post, and the striker bundled the ball over the line for his eighth Bundesliga goal of the season.
Bochum did not back down, launching a few dangerous counterattacks, but Leverkusen’s defence held firm. The home side nearly extended their lead in the 78th minute when Jeremie Frimpong missed a golden opportunity following a swift counterattack. Boniface then had a second goal ruled out for offside.
Leverkusen eventually sealed the win in the 87th minute. Exequiel Palacios played a perfect through ball to substitute Amine Adli, who calmly slotted the ball past Horn to make it 3-1. Granit Xhaka almost added a fourth in stoppage time, hitting both posts with a powerful shot, but the three points were already secured.
With this win, Leverkusen not only ended their recent struggles at home but also sent a strong message to Bayern Munich. The reigning champions now sit on 59 points, breathing down the necks of the Bavarians, who face St Pauli on Saturday.
Bochum, meanwhile, remains in 16th place and will need to fight hard to avoid relegation. Despite showing resilience, they were ultimately outclassed by a Leverkusen side that appears to be hitting form at just the right time.
As the season enters its final stretch, the Bundesliga title race is far from over. Leverkusen’s performance suggests they are ready to push Bayern all the way, making the next few weeks a thrilling battle for German football’s biggest prize.
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