Bayer Leverkusen reignited their Champions League hopes with a dominant 5-0 victory over RB Salzburg on Tuesday, led by Florian Wirtz’s double and a standout performance from Salzburg’s goalkeeper, Alexander Schlager, who helped keep the scoreline from ballooning further.
Following a tough 4-0 loss to Liverpool and a 1-1 draw with Brest, Leverkusen’s emphatic win pushed them to 10 points in their group.
Salzburg, meanwhile, remain stuck on three points, having lost four of their last five matches.
Leverkusen wasted no time asserting their control, with Wirtz converting from the penalty spot in the eighth minute after a handball by Samson Baidoo.
Just three minutes later, Alejandro Grimaldo doubled the lead with a pinpoint free kick that left Schlager rooted to the spot.
Wirtz struck again on the half-hour mark, dribbling past defenders and slotting a low shot into the corner, marking his fifth goal in five Champions League appearances.
Patrik Schick added a fourth in the second half, tapping in a Jeremie Frimpong cross, before Aleix Garcia sealed the rout with a powerful finish from a Wirtz assist 18 minutes from time.
Despite the lopsided score, Schlager’s efforts in goal were crucial, denying chances from Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, Exequiel Palacios, and Granit Xhaka.
Salzburg’s manager, Pep Lijnders, must have felt some relief seeing the scoreline at halftime given Leverkusen’s relentless attacking.
Xabi Alonso’s men eased up slightly after the break but continued to find space with ease. As Alonso rotated his squad, substitute Garcia delivered the final blow with a well-timed strike.
Leverkusen now look ahead to hosting Inter Milan, while Salzburg prepare to welcome Paris St Germain.
