Jenz sees red as Leverkusen remain on course for the Meisterschale
The penultimate Bundesliga Matchday 25 clash pitted Bayer Leverkusen against VfL Wolfsburg. Die Werkself maintained momentum with a 2-0 win.
Leverkusen re-established their 10-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga with victory over Niko Kovač's 10-man Wolfsburg. Bayern Munich's 8-1 thrashing of Mainz on Saturday did little to unsettle the high-flying table-toppers tonight.
Xabi Alonso's side naturally started the sharper of the two on home soil at the floodlit BayArena. Some fine link up play between Xhaka and Wirtz signalled an early warning to the Wolfsburg rearguard. The young German perhaps unfortunate to strike the post.
But subsequently Wolfsburg's luck dried up on the spot. The already yellow-carded Moritz Jenz received a second booking for an ill-timed tackle on Patrik Schick in the 28th minute. Despite Jonas Wind's withdrawal for Bornauw to shore up the defence, the damage was already done. Some majestic play from Alejandro Grimaldo down the left picked out Tella who headed Leverkusen into a 37th minute lead.
With 75% ball possession approaching the hour mark, it was safe to say Leverkusen had a vice-like control over their opponents. Alonso called Hincapié ashore soon after, introducing Adli and switching to a back four defence. It looked for all the world like league leaders would just hang on but nerves finally subsided in the 86th minute. Exequiel Palacios angled a perfect ball towards Wirtz was met by a sumptuous volley that kissed the post on the the way in.