AUGSBURG, Germany (AP) — Mergim Berisha scored for Augsburg to beat Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 on Friday and deal the visitors their second consecutive Bundesliga defeat.
Berisha capitalized on some poor Leverkusen defending to head in Arne Engels’ corner for what proved to be the winning goal in the 55th minute.
Leverkusen’s second straight defeat after last Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Borussia Dortmund dented the club’s hopes of European qualification. That defeat in Dortmund was the team’s first after five straight wins.
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso sent on young star Florian Wirtz for the last half hour, then more attacking players as the time dwindled, but none were able to force an equalizer against the home team’s tightly packed defense.
Moussa Diaby went closest for Leverkusen when he struck the post in a scrappy first half.
Augsburg climbed five points above the relegation zone while Leverkusen remained stuck in ninth place ahead of the rest of the 19th round.
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