Bayer Leverkusen ended a three-match winless streak in all competitions with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hamburger SV, condemning the hosts to back-to-back defeats for the first time since October.
The visitors, eager to revive their push for a top-four finish in the Bundesliga, nearly grabbed an early lead in the 13th minute.
A precise delivery from Aleix García found Martin Terrier unmarked inside the box, but the forward’s effort crashed against the crossbar.
Clear chances were scarce during the opening half, though Christian Kofane produced one of the few moments of promise when he directed a header toward goal shortly after the half-hour mark.
However, Hamburg goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes reacted quickly to collect the ball.
For the first time in six league matches, Hamburg went into the interval without scoring or conceding.
The home side struggled to create attacking threats and failed to register a shot on target before the break, but their defensive organisation kept Leverkusen’s usually potent attack quiet.
Despite suffering a defeat to RB Leipzig in their previous outing, their first loss in seven games, Hamburg had built a comfortable cushion above the relegation zone.
Still, their resistance finally gave way in the closing stages.
With around 20 minutes remaining, Ibrahim Maza floated a clever ball into the area that located Kofane, who finished clinically past Heuer Fernandes at the near post to spark celebrations among the travelling fans.
The win, which also marked Leverkusen’s first away clean sheet of the season in the league, lifts the reigning 2023/24 champions to sixth place, just three points shy of the top four.
Hamburg, meanwhile, remain 11th in the standings, sitting four points clear of the drop zone.
Die Rothosen have managed only one victory this season against teams currently occupying the top half of the table.
