Leverkusen clobber Leipzig 4-1 to climb to 4th

Leipzig, April 10: Bayer Leverkusen mounted a stunning comeback to defeat RB Leipzig 4-1 and claim fourth place in the Bundesliga.

With 48 points from 29 matches, Leverkusen enjoy an advantage of two points over both Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt in the fight for the fil Champions League berth. The hosts domited in the early going and took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute on a low, hard strike by Marcel Sabitzer here on Monday.

At that point, Leipzig, perhaps looking ahead to Thursday's Europa League quarterfil second leg in Marseille, drew back and ceded possession to Leverkusen.

Bringing their speed to bear, the visitors went on the attack and after several squandered opportunities, the equaliser came in the fil minute of the first half on a strike by 18-year-ol Kai Havertz.

Leverkusen took the lead in the 51st minute courtesy of another of their young standouts, Julian Brandt, who caught up with a booming kick from visiting goalkeeper Bernd Leno and steered it into the Leipzig net. Pagiotis Retsos, a second-half substitute, scored just five minutes later to make it 3-1 for Leverkusen. Kevin Volland got the fourth goal in the 69th minute. IANS