Leverkusen closes gap to Bayern after solid win
Florian Wirtz was among the goals again as Bayer Leverkusen closed the gap on Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich, climbing to second on the table with a 2-0 victory at Augsburg.
First-half goals from Martin Terrier and Florian Wirtz sealed the win for Xabi Alonso's side, which moved to within four points of Vincent Kompany's team, which was upset by Mainz in a 2-1 defeat away from home.
Leverkusen had scored six Bundesliga goals in the opening quarter of an hour of matches this season and broke through in the 14th minute, when Terrier stabbed home the opener.
Wirtz's low drive doubled the lead five minutes before the break, and was enough to see the visitors over the line.
More importantly, after Bayern suffered its first loss of the Bundesliga season at Mainz, Leverkusen closed the gap.
Leverkusen comfortably stretched its winning streak to seven matches across all competitions.
It also secured its 23rd Bundesliga victory of 2024, its most ever in a single calendar year.
Wirtz put the result beyond doubt, with the attacking midfielder now having been directly involved in a goal in each of his past five league appearances.
