Leverkusen manager praises team spirit following impressive form in Bundesliga

Bayer Leverkusen continued their impressive run on the road with a 2-1 victory over St. Pauli, seeing them rise to fourth in the Bundesliga.

Kasper Hjulmand cited Bayer Leverkusen’s great team spirit as key to their victory over St. Pauli, a result that sent them to fourth in the Bundesliga. 

Hjulmand watched on as Ernest Poku netted the winner just before the hour, having seen Edmond Tapsoba’s opener cancelled out by Hauke Wahl’s strike in the first half. 

Leverkusen’s triumph at Millerntor-Stadion extended their record-breaking streak of unbeaten away matches in the Bundesliga to 36, though they were made to work for their win. 

St. Pauli started brightly, hitting the post and forcing a Mark Flekken error from a corner, but Alexander Blessin’s side could not convert their chances.

Hjulmand’s side managed some chances from their five shots, slightly better than St. Pauli’s 13 attempts at Flekken’s net. 

It was Leverkusen’s fewest shots in the Bundesliga all season, and Hjulmand acknowledged the difficulties his side faced during their encounter. 

Hjulmand stated that it had been a very difficult game, but the team had played well for most of it, scored a superb second goal, and shown character towards the end.

He mentioned that they wanted to build a playing philosophy with the team, which would still require time. 

However, he added that they didn’t need time to win games in the meantime if they fought as they had that day and displayed great team spirit.

Unlikely goalscorer Tapsoba was delighted to have been on the scoresheet for Leverkusen. 

Speaking after the game, the defender stated that they would continue to do their best and fight for the fans on the pitch, urging everyone to do it together. 

He also mentioned that he had been able to help the team with his goal, noting it was his first and expressing his intention to try to score more goals.