Bayer Leverkusen secured a 2-0 home win over RB Leipzig on September 20, a result that keeps them in the mix at the top of the early Bundesliga table. Sitting fifth with seven points from four games, the Werkself share that tally with both Augsburg above them and Mainz 05 below, meaning the standings are tight and every result carries weight at this stage of the season.

The victory was a welcome response after a patchy run of form. Leverkusen had drawn 2-2 with Augsburg in their previous outing and lost 3-2 to Elversberg before that, so coach Carles Martinez needed a clean, controlled performance. A shutout against Leipzig delivered exactly that, and it gives the squad confidence heading into the October international break.

The break does bring one piece of unwelcome news. Winger Brajan Gruda, who plays for Leipzig but was injured during the defeat at Leverkusen, suffered a muscle strain that ruled him out of the Germany squad. That detail is a footnote for Leverkusen, but it underlines how physical the contest was.

When club football resumes, Leverkusen travel to the MEWA Arena to face Mainz 05 on October 10. With the top of the table so compressed, that away fixture is an immediate opportunity to push up the standings and build on the momentum this latest win has provided.