Despite a risky large-scale rotation, Bayer Leverkusen remains on course for the European Cup in the Bundesliga. Between the two knockout matches in the Europa League against Ferencvaros Budapest and a week before the highlight match against Bayern Munich in the league, the Rhinelanders won 3-2 (1-1) at Werder Bremen on Sunday evening and thus continue to be involved in the fight for seventh place, which could be enough for the Europa Conference League in the end. Even sixth place, on which the currently weakening Frankfurt are located, is only six points away.

In front of 41,000 spectators in the Weser Stadium, Bremen, who were severely weakened by replacements, took the lead after half an hour through Marvin Ducksch. Mitchel Bakker (34th minute), Jeremie Frimpong (56th) and Adam Hlozek (83rd) turned the game in favour of Leverkusen before Niclas Füllkrug (86th) scored the final score with a penalty.

"We don't have to lose the game," Duksch commented on the Internet channel DAZN. "We just make too many mistakes at the back," he criticized his own defense.

Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky said: "This is a very happy victory in my eyes." His colleague Jonathan Tah admitted: "Werder made it really difficult for us."

Harmony as a role model

Three days after the 2-0 win against Ferencvaros, Bayer coach Xabi Alonso had rebuilt his team to five positions. Among other things, Florian Wirtz was spared. The 19-year-old was not even in the squad because he is slightly injured. "That was not possible for today," said Bayer CEO Simon Rolfes before the game on DAZN. "We are careful with him." After all, the midfielder had been out for months due to injury.

Patrick Schick and Karim Bellarabi were also not part of the squad, but Alonso had already shown himself confident before the game. "The competition is fierce and that gives me enough opportunities for the starting XI on Sunday and with a view to next week. I make forward-looking decisions," said the Bayer coach.

The focus of the Rhinelanders is shifting these days to the Europa League. Eintracht Frankfurt, which secured a place in the financially much more lucrative Champions League last year by winning the Europa League title, serves as a role model. "It's a good competition. You can quickly get to a title," said former international Nadiem Amiri after the 2-0 win against Ferencvaros in the first leg of the round of <>: "You saw last year that Frankfurt can win this thing. Of course, that also appeals to us."

In Bremen, however, Leverkusen found it difficult to concentrate on everyday league life for a long time. Against the badly shaken hosts, who also had to do without the sick Leonardo Bittencourt at short notice, the offensive initially stalled enormously. Werder took command after a tough start and did not take an undeserved lead through Ducksch. But the Werder joy did not last long. Just three minutes later, Bakker equalised with a powerful shot.

Even after the change of sides, Werder were mostly dominant and had more chances. But the decisive goal was scored by Leverkusen. Frimpong's shot was deflected for Werder goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka. With the goal of Hlozek the game seemed decided. But Füllkrug scored from the penalty spot and made the last minutes of the game exciting again.