When referee Christian Dingert, on the recommendation of his Cologne video colleagues, rushed to the screen in the 72nd minute of the game to make sure whether he had overlooked a foul in the penalty area, the Leverkusen fans reacted with a spontaneous protest. She unfurled a banner that read “Abolish video evidence” and launched a tried-and-tested lawsuit against the DFB (“You are destroying our sport”). Dingert was not impressed, revised his original decision and ordered a penalty – and the Leverkusen fans erupted in cheers.
The course of the encounter between Bayer 04 and 1. FC Heidenheim could have been different if Dingert had listened to the fans’ wishes in that 72nd minute and, on top of that, Heidenheim’s attacker Tim Kleindienst had taken advantage of the opportunity that arose following the controversial penalty area scene opened. But firstly, Lukas Hradecky barely fended off Kleindienst’s cunning heave, and secondly, Dingert took the correct official route. Shortly afterwards, Victor Boniface converted the penalty and it was 3-1 for Bayer instead of 2-2. The people of Heidenheim, who had not been waiting for a surprise without justification, could no longer be saved.
After another goal from substitute Amine Adli, Leverkusen finally left the pitch as a deserved 4-1 winner. But not without taking a victory lap. The opposing coach was among the witnesses who applauded. Heidenheim’s coach Frank Schmidt said he changed the basic order three times and still couldn’t get Bayer under control: “This opponent was a shelf that we couldn’t reach into – we don’t have a hard time congratulating them.” Xabi Alonso thanked: Schmidt for his congratulations and handing over a signed copy of his biography – and the team for a concentrated, resolute performance.
The fact that Bayer had to give up first place in the table to FC Bayern didn’t bother those involved or the spectators. Her team had once again refuted traditional fears of a return to old times. The days in which Bayer nursed his Vicekusen syndrome are actually a thing of the past at the moment. From the start, the home team took the newcomers as seriously as they deserved.
Leverkusen’s attacker Boniface hits again and again
After nine minutes, Boniface took advantage of his second major scoring opportunity to take the lead, which Bayer was by no means resting on. One attack after the other was launched, the FCH gave the opponent space in the midfield to build up a respectable passing rate, but effectively blocked the goal. So there were only a handful of half-chances for the current league leaders, while Heidenheim suddenly found themselves on the verge of an equalizer shortly before the break: Kleindienst, however, was too surprised to react.
But the score was still 1-1. Jan-Niklas Beste fed Eren Dinkci and suddenly the ball was in the net (58th). Bayer didn’t let themselves be irritated. Five minutes later, Jonas Hofmann once again distinguished himself as the discoverer of an unknown route, and Ezequiel Palacios provided him with the necessary through ball in an exemplary manner. Bayer led again and the game went on its – almost unstoppable – path.
