Three points for Nurnberg would be massive in their hopes for Bundesliga survival, a victory would move them up to no higher than fifteenth but they could find themselves dropping back down if Stuttgart are successful later in the day. Three points for Bayer Leverkusen, however, would be massive for a very different reason, that reason being they would be back in contention for Champions League Qualification. Last match day Bayer beat Hertha 2-1 and Nurnberg were battered 4-1 away to Champions League hopefuls Wolfsburg.

Leverkusen got the game rolling at the Grundig Stadion and despite their early dominance it was infact the hosts who got the first goal bound effort of what was to be an interesting affair. Josip Drmic' shot stung the hands of Bernd Leno who failed to gather at first time of asking. There was some slight confusion as to whether it was a goal kick or corner kick as Drmic and Emre Can simultaneously hit the ball out of play, The referee awarded a goal kick in Bayer' favour. 

Emir Spahic opened the scoring after hammering past Raphael Schafer from outside the box from Bayer' first real effort on goal just before the twentieth minute mark. Schafer had no chance and seen the shot late due to the mass amount of bodies in front of him, as Leverkusen opened a 1-0 lead. Nurnberg's Martin Angha saved his side from going further behind, clearing the ball out for a corner after Schafer was beaten by a pass across his goal.

Nurnberg went up the field and their hope of an almost instant reply was dashed as loanee Jose Campana pinged his shot just wide of Bernd Leno's goal. Minutes later, Nurnberg did equalise through defender Marvin Plattenhardt. Plattenhardt drove a costless kick low and hard and beat Leno to draw the score level after twenty-six minutes. Omer Toprak almost gave Leverkusen the lead again but his headed effort rattled the post. Just before the half came to a close Hiroshi Kiyotake and Steffan Kießling both had chances for their respective sides.

Half time: FC Nurnberg 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen

There were no changes to either side as they came back out after the break, hosts, Nurnberg got the second half underway and almost scored through Kiyotake but the Japanese midfielder couldn't capitalise on an awkward bounce and could only poke a shot into the arms if Leno. Leverkusen went back in front through Boenisch after just two minutes. The defender slid it past Schafer after being found by fellow defender Toprak. Yet another set piece that Nurnberg failed to deal with and it proved costly. The first change of the afternoon came just after the hour mark, with Kiyotake being replaced by Croatian striker Antonio Colak. Leverkusen followed suit minutes later making a double change. Gonzalo Castro and Julian Brandt leaving the field for Roberto Hilbert and Simon Rolfes.

Heung Min Son found himself alone in the box after skilfully taking down a cross, though his shot was saved by the toes of Schafer. Spahic grabbed his second for the day, after Son and himself broke fast after a poor Nurnberg corner. Son unselfishly gave it to the Bosnian on a plate who slotted in from yards out, making it 3-1 to Leverkusen with ten minutes to go. Shortly after, substitute Hilbert rounded off the scoring and made it four for travelling Leverkusen. Schafer couldn't hold onto a thunderous Son strike and the ball landed kindly at Hilbert's feet and he battered home and more insult to injury for Nurnberg.

Full time: FC Nurnberg 1-4 Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen are now back on course for Champions League qualification with the resounding win, now sitting in fourth taking the place of Wolfsburg. Nurnberg's relegation woes have been added too and they still find themselves next to bottom in seventeenth position.

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About the author
Cammy Anderson
Calcio-editor-in-chief Email: [email protected]