Leverkusen looked like certain winners against Hoffenheim – but gave the three points away within a few minutes. Dabbur scored a great goal to make the final score 2:2.
Leverkusen suffered a heavy defeat on the last matchday with a 5-2 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt. Something had to change for the Werkself – and that was already evident in the personnel before the match, as Bayer coach Gerardo Seoane made four changes: Koussounou, Demirbay, Palacios and Bellarabi started for Frimpong (yellow suspension), Aranguiz, Andrich and Adli (all three on the bench).
The hosts wanted to show a different face than last time, but they had a thick board to drill, as Hoffenheim arrived with plenty of confidence, having won four in a row. “We are now also confident enough to say we want to pull something off in Leverkusen,” Hoffenheim coach Sebastian Hoeneß, who brought on Grillitsch, Rudy and Baumgartner instead of Posch, Stiller and Dabbur (all on the bench) after the late 2-1 away win in Freiburg, had said before the encounter.
Schick rewards Werkself’s good first half
Leverkusen started the game actively and looked for the way forward. Schick was not able to control the ball in a good position (2nd), and Wirtz, who played his 50th Bundesliga match as the youngest player in history, did not score due to an offside (5th). The Werkself were better – and almost scored the lead, Hincapie’s shot hit the post (28.). In terms of aluminium goals, Hoffenheim quickly equalised, Richards’ header hitting the crossbar (35.).
It was a thoroughly watchable football match in which Leverkusen finally deserved to take the lead: Schick’s volley from six metres could not be defused by Baumann (37.). Bayer remained on the gas, TSG keeper Baumann thwarted a double chance by Schick and Wirtz and saved his team from the 0:2 (41.). Hoffenheim’s offensive performance in the first half was too weak, and Samassekou’s shot shortly before the break was easily saved by Hradecky (43). So Bayer went into the dressing room with a deserved 1:0.
Schick scores a brace
Hoffenheim came out of the dressing room with Kaderabek and Stiller for Akpoguma and Rudy and a lot of momentum. Kramaric missed the first big chance for TSG from a few metres (50th). TSG was better in the game at that point, but Bayer also remained dangerous, Bellarabi tested Baumann (59th) and Wirtz hit the outer net (61st). After a good initial phase of the guests after the break, the Werkself got a better grip on the game. The hosts were promptly rewarded: Hincapie’s cross from the left side was headed into the top left corner by Schick (63). Double and a great goal from the attacker
Great TSG comeback
Hoffenheim were far from giving up, Kramaric had the equaliser on his head, he only hit the aluminium triangle (66.). It was now an open game that went back and forth, Diaby found his master in Baumann on the opposite side (71.). It actually looked good for Bayer, who then gave away the victory within a few minutes. TSG were rewarded for their great morale. First, Stiller scored from an acute angle to tie the game (80th), only three minutes later Dabbur scored a remarkable goal with a heel to equalise 2:2. It was a gripping final phase in which things got hectic. Diaby got carried away with a frustration foul and was shown the red card (90.+2). The visitors were unable to take advantage of the brief period of overtime, but the draw still felt like a victory. Meanwhile, the Werkself were left hanging their heads.
Leverkusen will play SC Freiburg in Breisgau on Sunday at 15.30, while Hoffenheim will meet Borussia Mönchengladbach at the same time the day before.