Lucio confident

LUCIO is confident Bayer Leverkusen can survive in Die Bundesliga after inspiring the struggling club to a 3-1 victory over Arminia Bielefeld.

The World Cup winner halted Bayer's dramatic downfall by scoring twice en route to a vital home win over fellow relegation-strugglers Bielefeld.

The hosts took the lead on 34 minutes when Lucio conceded a penalty and Ansgar Brinkmann converted from the spot, but the Brazilian defender then made up for his blunder with two brilliant free-kicks before Hanno Balitsch finally settled the tie after Brinkmann was sent off for a second bookable offence.

"I love Leverkusen as they gave me the chance to play here in Europe and today I am very happy as I was on fault at the penalty.

"Finally we managed to win three points and if we keep on going we will stay in Die Bundesliga," smiled Lucio.

Leverkusen coach Thomas Horster is sure that today's (Sunday's) win will turn things around for his team.

"We needed this three points in order to survive and this win must give us a boost for the remaining three weeks," declared Horster.

Leverkusen remain in 16th, but they are now only one point adrift of safety while Bielefeld are back in the dog-fight as they dropped back to 13th.