Leverkusen 1-2 Augsburg
A penalty converted by Rieder in stoppage time completed Augsburg’s comeback, leaving Hjulmand’s side four points adrift of fourth place.
After last week’s strong showing at Signal Iduna Park seemed to reignite Leverkusen’s bid for a Champions League spot, they suffered a setback at the BayArena. Augsburg overturned a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1, with Rieder scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot deep into injury time.
Lucas Vázquez, making his first start in nearly two months after returning against Borussia Dortmund, took up the right flank for Bayer Leverkusen. He was joined by fellow Spaniards Aleix García and Alejandro Grimaldo in the starting lineup. Patrick Schick, replacing Christian Kofané, needed just 12 minutes to put the hosts ahead, heading home a cross from Tapsoba from the left side. However, the lead lasted only until the 15th minute when Rieder equalized, collecting a second ball after a poorly cleared corner by Flekken.
The equalizer only spurred Leverkusen on as they pushed for a winner. They appealed for a penalty when Tella was brought down following a brilliant ball from Grimaldo. The Nigerian also found Dahmen in inspired form, with the Augsburg goalkeeper denying him just before halftime and again early in the second half. Irahim Maza came close with a delicate effort aimed at the far post after a fine run from the edge of the box.
As the clock ticked down, Leverkusen grew increasingly frantic. The BayArena erupted when the referee initially awarded a penalty for a handball by Massengo from an Aleix García cross with five minutes left, only to overturn the decision. Hjulmand’s side seemed to lose their composure. After a fine save by Flekken to deny Kömür, Culbreath conceded a penalty in stoppage time, which Rieder calmly converted to complete the turnaround. The defeat leaves Bayer Leverkusen four points behind fourth-placed Stuttgart, who visit Bayern Munich tomorrow with just four Bundesliga matchdays remaining. Leipzig, who beat Eintracht de Riera 3-1 with another goal from Diomande, have moved seven points clear.