Bayer Leverkusen made up for their UEFA Europa League defeat to Atalanta in midweek by securing a hugely impressive unbeaten domestic double with victory over Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal final. Granit Xhaka got the game’s only goal, and though Xabi Alonso saw his side reduced to 10 men with the 44th-minute sending-off of Odilon Kossounou, they held on.
Bayer Leverkusen sealed an historic double as they won the DFB-Pokal final with a 1-0 victory over Kaiserslautern.
Granit Xhaka’s thunderous 16th-minute strike was enough for Xabi Alonso’s side to complete a domestic season unbeaten and add the DFB-Pokal to their Bundesliga triumph.
Despite Leverkusen controlling the first half, their Bundesliga 2 opponents were given hope when Odilon Kossounou picked up a second booking and was sent off moments before the break.
Despite Kaiserslautern introducing marksman Ragnar Ache, they had little to challenge Leverkusen who could have added further goals to their tally.
For Alonso’s side, the victory quickly put to bed their midweek UEFA Europa League final defeat at the hands of Atalanta, which scotched their hopes of going the entire season unbeaten in all competitions.
Florian Wirtz caused Kaiserslautern problems throughout the night and forced goalkeeper Julian Krahl into action inside the opening 15 minutes.
After Xhaka opened the scoring Leverkusen dominated the first half with 73% possession.
With their opposition playing with 10 men in the second half Kaiserslautern saw more of the ball, but Alonso’s side were rarely challenged.
Substitute Ache went closest when finding space and forcing Lukas Hradecky into a fine one-handed save on his way to recording a vital clean sheet.
At the opposite end Jeremie Frimpong had opportunities to seal the victory for Leverkusen but wasted his chances.
However, Alonso’s side were deserved winners to clinch an historic league and cup double.
Despite being a relatively inexperienced manager Xabi Alonso is wanted by clubs throughout Europe.
The Spaniard showed why as his side looked confident with 10 men on their way to clinching the DFB-Pokal.
Kaiserslautern marksman Ragnar Ache sent warning signs to Leverkusen early in the second half.
However, Alonso slowed his side down and made them hard to break down and from then on they were rarely troubled.
Controlling the midfield, Wirtz provided the engine room behind a commanding Bayer Leverkusen display.
The 21-year-old showed experience beyond his years and could have had a goal or two himself.
However, it was the passing and control of Wirtz in midfield which made his side hard to break through and tough to beat.
Kaiserslautern: Krahl 7, Zimmer 7, Tomiak 7, Elvedi 7, Puchacz 6, Kaloc 6, Raschi 6, Zolinski 6, Ritter 6, Redondo 7, Hanslik 7
Subs: Ache 8, Tachie 6, Klement 6, Opoku 6, Toure 6
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky 8, Kossounou 6, Tah 7, Tapsoba 7, Frimpong 6, Andrich 7, Xhaka 8, Grimaldo 7, Hofmann 6, Wirtz 8*, Schick 7
Subs: Adli 6, Stanisic 7, Hincapie 7, Hlozek 6, Tella 6
16 – BIG SAVE BY KRAHL
Wirtz drives into the box with defenders lunging at his feet. The forward keeps the ball at his feet before forcing Krahl into a save and Frimpong heads the rebound wide.
17 – GOAL! Kaiserslautern 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1 (XHAKA)
An absolute rocket of a long-range effort from Xhaka with the ball falling nicely for him. With lots to do Xhaka got right behind his strike which flew past the helpless goalkeeper
26 – TOMIAK SAVES HIS SIDE AGAIN
Grimaldo causes chaos in the Kaiserslautern defence drawing the goalkeeper out before sending an inviting cross towards Schick. However, Tomiak reads the ball perfectly and is in the right position to rescue his side.
45 – KOSSOUNOU SENT OFF
Bayer Leverkusen have been reduced to 10 men after Kossounou loses control of the ball and then leaves a foot in on his opponent.
The Leverkusen man knew what was coming and received a second yellow card.
45+3 – JUST WIDE
Kaiserslautern work the ball nicely around the box before it falls to Rasch whose low shot inside the box has the goalkeeper beaten but it flies inches wide of the far post.
62 – HRADECKY MAKES FINE SAVE
A brilliant run by Ache sees him find space just outside the box before shooting across goal and forcing Leverkusen goalkeeper Hradecky into a one-handed save.
75 – LEVERKUSEN SHOULD HAVE A SECOND
Wirtz wins the ball and finds the run of Frimpong who takes it around the goalkeeper before passing it back inside the box straight at a covering defender. Moments later Adli fires just wide.
Bayer Leverkusen had 73% of possession during the first half and then 57% of possession with 10 men after the break.
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