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[21/12/2019 | Ti: 16:15 | Location: WA Arena | Mainz 0 – 2 Leverkusen]
The first half ended in a convincing 0 - 2 for Leverkusen as neither team managed to mount a worthwhile attack in the dying minutes of the first half. But the visitors were not too bothered, simply singing their club hymns to their heart's content. The past 3 gas have been rough for them, so seeing their team react positively despite the setback brought joy to their faces.
"Ben Christmas ca early this year." Finn, a man in his mid-thirties and a third-generation Leverkusen fan, said in a jovial tone before proceeding to hug his mug of beer. "Those youngsters are making the money we spent on season tickets worthwhile."
"Hahah, yeah, they definitely gave us a big present, and if they continue at this pace, this might turn into a complete route," Ben responded with a bright smile before digging into his Currywurst and poms. "After Charles' wild bombardnt, I was ready to witness another rocky performance from the midfield, but he has been solid since."
"Have you been reading war novels again? For the last ti, just because you read it in fanfiction doesn't make you qualified to lead n into battle." Finn exasperatedly comnted as he eyed his shorter and slightly chubby friend who fancied himself as a modern-day Napoleon. "But bombardnt is definitely the right word for that balled, Mainz B*st*rd, who got smacked on the do."
"How would you know? Let tell you I'm a distant descendant of Alexander the Great," Ben quickly retorted with indignation.
"Distant being the keyword, a hundred-plus generations down the line are no longer part of the sa family, why else do you think those royalties f*£k their cousins and act like it's a noble thing." Finn retorted, shutting his friend up with his crude but mostly accurate argunt that forced the latter to really consider his lineage.
"Duck that! I thought we were talking about the team and not about the world's most glorified incest practices." Ben quickly retorted with a huff, stabbing his wooden fork to stab another piece of bratwurst coated in warm curry ketchup sauce. Smiling at the delightful taste of the food, he montarily forgot his train of thought. "It's a sha that they will be going into a break just as they are finding their montum."
(cough cough cough) Finn choked on his beer at his friend's sudden outburst that bordered on bipolar. However, since he was already used to his friend's actions, he quickly brushed it aside. "It's indeed a sha, especially since this is the strongest frontline we've had in years."
"I've been saying that our midfield is the problem since the start of the season. Peter is too indecisive, mixing and matching the midfield core like a ga of connect five." Ben huffed in annoyance. "Even when we were winning, most of the goals ca from the wingbacks linking up with the wingers and attackers. The only ti the midfield perford well was when one of the midfielders had a breakout ga, controlling the ga with solo heroics."
"I guess that's what happens when you are spoiled for choice's and it's not like he can play Kai in all gas." Finn intoned, having also been forced to co to this realisation after the string of shaky performances following Rakim's excursion to Poland. Having lost one of their most clinical goal-creating players, the pressure on the midfield beca that much more glaring, highlighting their faults. "You don't think it's the tactics, right? We have been dominant whenever we field our best team, working well, even with just one or two substitutions."
"I think it might be his tactical adjustnt to certain players, for example, Julian Baumgartlinger, he is a German war machine who would excel in a more physical ga rather than our usual pressing and zonal marking," Ben said in a serious tone, nodding his head sagely as he continued to analyse a few other players' tendencies and the best playstyle for them.
"Have you been reading football novels again? You know you're not 'The Special One', right?" Finn unceremoniously interrupted his friend, causing an awkward atmosphere to perate.
~~~
[21/12/2019 | Ti: 16:30 | Location: WA Arena | Mainz 0 – 2 Leverkusen]
[45]
(Fweet)
With the referee's whistle, the second half comnced with a Leverkusen kick-off as the fans who had headed to the concessions stand returned to their seats. "And we're back for another half of what promises to be an exciting period of football."
"Indeed, Derek, this match promises to be a goal feast no matter which side decides to take control of the match," Robson comnted with excitent as the red lions surged forward from the first mont to launch an attack.
Rakim, still burning with montum from the first half, imdiately darted inside from the left after receiving a smart ball from Wendell. He played a quick one-two with Demirbay at the top of the box before unleashing a curling effort from just outside the box. "Early warning shot from Rakim Rex!" Derek Rae exclaid as the ball fizzed just wide of the far post, causing Zentner to stretch in vain.
"He's the type of player who is hard to stop once he gets hot and, unluckily for Mainz supporters, he his burning despite the freezing temperatures." Robson intoned with a light chuckle as Rakim could be seen staring at his boots in disappointnt, almost as if blaming them for his miss.
[49]
Mainz seed to have grown a backbone, or they simply woke up from their slumber as they started affecting the match, much to the delight of their fans. A long goal-kick from Zentner found its way to substitute Danny Latza, who chested it down graciously. Picking up the tempo, he sent a chipped through ball into the space behind the Leverkusen defence for Quaison to run onto.
The sudden change caught the Leverkusen back line off guard for a mont, and Quaison managed to bring it down on the turn. Quaison took a touch to his right, trying to create a shooting angle. Jonathan Tah recovered quickly, sliding across to block the strike, but the Swede managed to unleash a low, driven shot toward the near post.
"Quaison—on target!" Derek Rae's voice rose as the shot zipped toward the fra. Hradecky dropped fast, parrying the shot away with strong hands before Wendell ca in to complete the clearance.
"That was more like it from Mainz," Stewart Robson noted. "You get the sense the next goal is absolutely crucial by how much both teams want this."
[54]
Leverkusen, sensing the shift in montum, slowed the pace following frantic shouts from Peter Bosz on the sidelines. He motioned for Aranguiz and Demirbay to drop deeper and play shorter passes, recycling possession as they looked to draw Mainz out of shape. The wingers also dropped deeper to receive and link play, drawing fouls as the ho side got more aggressive.
Seeing the lack of effectiveness for Wirtz in this slower-moving tempo, Peter Bosz sent for Exequiel Palacios alongside Moussa Diaby to warm up. A few minutes later, he proceeded with the substitution when a pass with too much power skipped off the pitch.
---
Bayer Leverkusen: OFF - Florian Wirtz & Leon Bailey | ON - Exequiel Palacios & Moussa Diaby
Mainz 05: OFF - Pierre Kunde | ON - Leandro Barreiro
---
The substitutions injected fresh energy into the match. Diaby, with his low centre of gravity and electric pace, imdiately gave Aarón Martín trouble down the right. His legs seed restless as he could be seen everywhere montarily putting the right flank on lock. anwhile, Palacios brought a more asured control to the midfield, helping Aránguiz settle after a physically intense first half.
[60]
Barreiro only had a few minutes to settle on the pitch, but he made full use of the few touches he got. He pinched the ball off Demirbay near the centre circle with surprising ease and surged forward. Spotting Onisiwo peeling away from Weiser, Barreiro slipped a precise pass into the channel. Onisiwo took it in stride, cut onto his right, and let fly from just inside the box.
"ONISIWO—IT'S CURLED!"
The strike arced viciously toward the top corner but shaved the outside of the post. This sent Hradecky's breath palpitating as he had remained rooted on his spot, unable to react quickly enough. But he also knew that even if he had reacted to jump, he wouldn't have gotten there even if he stretched to the fullest.
"Ohh, that's close! That would've brought the house down here at the WA," Derek Rae exclaid.
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To Be Continued...
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