Bayer Leverkusen thrashed Werder Bremen 4-1 on Monday in a match that showcased exactly why Leverkusen could be playing in the Champions League next season while Werder’s 40-year stay in the top division is almost certainly at an end.
The Weserstadion in Bremen was empty, but you can imagine that a capacity crowd of 42,100 would’ve whistled their own players to kingdom come had they been present. As heads dropped and shoulders shrugged after a first half brace from 20-year-old wunderkind Kai Havertz followed by second half strikes from Mitchell Weiser and Kerem Demirbay, it became clear that the next month might be pure hell from a Werder perspective.
Werder vs Leverkusen Highlights (May 18, 2020)
28’: Kai Havertz (Leverkusen) 1-0
¡GOL de @kaihavertz29!
El @bayer04_es marca el primero en este #MontagNachtFußball @SirJohnLaguna @marianot19 @RodolfoLanderos #BundesligaEnFD pic.twitter.com/nlnibtVWC7— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) May 18, 2020
30’: Gebre Selassie (Werder) 1-1
¡GOL de Selassie!
Poco le duró al Leverkusen. Ya lo empata el @werderbremenES.#MontagNachtFußball @SirJohnLaguna @marianot19 @RodolfoLanderos#BundesligaEnFD pic.twitter.com/3wrmSmuLsy— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) May 18, 2020
33’: Kai Havertz (Leverkusen) 2-1
¡GOL del @bayer04_es!
Locura de partido. Doblete de @kaihavertz29. #MontagNachtFußball @SirJohnLaguna @marianot19 @RodolfoLanderos#BundesligaEnFD pic.twitter.com/0itP21PKEP— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) May 18, 2020
61’: Mitchell Weiser (Leverkusen) 3-1
¡GOL de @bayer04_es!
Weiser con su primer gol de la temporada hace el 3-1.#MontagNachtFußball @SirJohnLaguna @marianot19 @RodolfoLanderos#BundesligaEnFD pic.twitter.com/WW8HghLLjr— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) May 18, 2020
78’: Kerem Demirbay (Leverkusen) 4-1
¡GOL del @bayer04_es!
Gran anotación de Demirbay, pero qué tal el pase sin ver de @KimoBellarabi. #MontagNachtFußball @SirJohnLaguna @marianot19 @RodolfoLanderos#BundesligaEnFD pic.twitter.com/6nA3RX17pH— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) May 18, 2020
20-year-old American striker Josh Sargent entered the match in the 71st minute, but Werder’s only shot on target throughout the 90 was its goal. Leverkusen totaled nine shots on frame and could’ve certainly scored more than four.
The victory leaves Leverkusen just one point behind fourth-place RB Leipzig. Werder is five points behind Dusseldorf in the relegation playoff place, but Werder still maintains a match in hand.