In the final match before the break Energie Cottbus stunned Werkself with late goal to bring the match a 1-1 draw that left supporters seething. Although Werkself had controlled the overall play, die Lausitzer stingy defense was too much to break through. The draw was a costly lost two points, dropping Leverkusen to fifth place with thirty-two points and three points behind leaders 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayern München.Tactically there were few surprises as die Lausitzer started the match at ease with playing behind the ball and looking to limit Leverkusen's advances. Much to my chagrin it worked to a charm as Werkself's efforts were mostly from a poor angle or longer range in nature. Chances prior to the defensive first half were modest to say the best and the match went to the break scoreless.
At the break Bruno Labbadia re-tooled the lineup, calling on Arturo Vidal to firm up defending and giving Tranquillo Barnetta the directive to attack. The effect was immediate albeit not still not easy to find the key to the die Lausitzer lock. Finally a rare opportunity presented itself with thirteen minutes remaining as Côte d'Ivoire international Constant Djakpa scooped up a rebound of a Patrick Helmes free-kick and sent it back into the box for Simon Rolfes, who did not hesitate from five meters giving Werkself the 1-0 lead.
With six minutes remaining Cottbus brought in Shao Jiayi for ex-Partizan man Ivica Iliev and he immediately made his presence known, hitting the crossbar at the eighty-six minute. With the packed BayArena ready to celebrate a victory Shao Jiayi spoiled the party as with only seconds left in added-time he headed in Ervin Skela's corner from the near post.
Auf Wiedersehen
