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European football: Bayern and Leverkusen both beaten in Bundesliga

European football: Bayern and Leverkusen both beaten in Bundesliga

The Guardian08-03-2025

Bayern Munich wasted a two-goal lead in front of a home crowd to slump to a 3-2 loss to Bochum, but second-placed Bayer Leverkusen were unable to take advantage, going down 2-0 at home to Werder Bremen.
Bayern, who beat Leverkusen 3-0 in their Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday, looked to be cruising to a comfortable win after Raphaël Guerreiro struck twice in 14 minutes to put them 2-0 up by the 28th minute. Bochum, however, cut the deficit three minutes later, with Jakov Medic drilling in.
Things got worse for Bayern when João Palhinha was sent off two minutes before the break after a rough tackle and Bochum made the extra man count when Ibrahima Sissoko headed in a 51st-minute equaliser. The visitors completed their stunning comeback in the 71st when Matus Bero slipped into the box and beat Jonas Urbig, in the Bayern goal in place of the injured Manuel Neuer.
Bayern are top on 61 points and remain eight points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen. Werder, who had lost their previous five matches, took a surprise seventh-minute lead away to the defending champions, with Romano Schmid slotting in at the far post after a defensive error.
Aleix García came agonisingly close to an equaliser for the hosts but his first-half stoppage-time free-kick bounced off the bar.
To make matters worse for Xabi Alonso's team, who host Bayern in the Champions League return leg on Tuesday, Florian Wirtz suffered an ankle injury in the 54th minute and the Germany attacking midfielder had to be substituted.
Despite some late pressure but only a handful of chances, Leverkusen could not find the equaliser and it was Werder who scored again, in stoppage time with Justin Njinmah.
In Saturday evening's games, the leaders in the tight title races in Italy and Spain are in action. In Serie A, Inter host Monza, looking to move four points clear of Napoli overnight, while Barcelona will likewise move four ahead of Atlético Madrid with victory at Osasuna.
In France, Paris Saint-Germain can stretch their lead to 15 points at home to Rennes, before second-placed Marseille host Lens.
This story will be updated

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