Impossible to lose: Bayer Leverkusen was behind in the Bundesliga against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim until shortly before the end – and then won again. Robert Andrich (88th minute) and Patrik Schick (90th+1) once again caused a late turnaround. Maximilian Beier (33rd) gave the guests the lead.
At the latest after Xabi Alonso’s declaration of loyalty, it was quite reasonable to assume that Bayer Leverkusen couldn’t lose at all this season. The Werkself had already tied up numerous top performers over the course of this season for the long term, survived 38 competitive games without defeat, and then the coach put a stop to a possible move to FC Bayern Munich or FC Liverpool. “I’m not finished here yet,” Alonso explained his decision.
To the live ticker: Leverkusen – Hoffenheim Arrow right 27th matchday Arrow right
The Spaniard has been emphasizing for weeks that despite the comfortable situation in the Bundesliga and the clear lead over FC Bayern, no decision has been made. The goal against TSG Hoffenheim was to keep winning. But this project quickly turned out to be an extremely difficult undertaking.
Stefan Hänsel, sports show, March 30, 2024 5:34 p.m
Leverkusen dominant, but not dangerous
As usual, Leverkusen had a lot of possession of the ball and dominated the game, but the visitors’ deep defense didn’t allow for any great chances. Florian Wirtz caused the first bit of excitement with an individual action in the 18th minute, but the national player curled the ball just past the far post from 20 meters after a solo effort.
Torge Hidding, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 6:38 p.m
The first shot on goal of the game came from Hoffenheim – and it ended up in Leverkusen’s goal. With his speed, Maximilian Beier took advantage of the gaps in Bayer’s defense at that moment and scored the 1-0 (33rd) after a one-two with Wout Weghorst.
TSG keeper Oliver Baumann had to really intervene for the first time when Granit Xhaka slipped a cross and almost landed in the Hoffenheim goal (42nd). Two minutes later, Baumann was also there to face Jonas Hofmann. The right winger had the best chance shortly before half-time, but shot at an opposing defender from close range (45’+1), then Robert Andrich headed over from an even better position (45’+2).
And the question arose: Will the 27th Bundesliga matchday be the moment when Leverkusen would lose its first game of the season?
Hoffenheim with good defense and good keeper Baumann
Bayer ran with all their might at the start of the second half and underlined their great self-confidence – especially since the Werkself had already turned around deficits several times this year, often in the last minutes as recently in the Europa League against Quarabag Agdam. But Hoffenheim withstood the efforts brilliantly.
And when things did get dangerous, Baumann was there. In the 54th minute, he won the duel between his DFB colleagues against Wirtz, whose shot was deflected, with a strong reflex. Baumann was lucky with Leverkusen’s next big chance because Alejandro Grimaldo didn’t hit the ball properly from close range and it rolled into his arms (68th).
Leverkusen’s flood of shots on goal – and the late redemption
Baumann had his greatest appearance in the 76th minute. The keeper was strong from close range, first against Patrik Schick and then also when Amine Adli made a follow-up shot. At this point the goal shooting ratio was 24:5 in favor of the hosts – but the guests were leading. And this was increasingly thanks to Baumann.
Torge Hidding, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 7:49 p.m
But at some point Leverkusen’s urge to attack was too much for the last Hoffenheim player. First Robert Andrich was lucky to equalize after a standard situation (88′), then Bayer overran TSG down the right side, and finally Nathan Tella fed Schick in the middle, who scored from close range (90’+1).
The Czech scored the winning goal against Quarabag in stoppage time. And now he caused long faces, especially at FC Bayern, who, given Hoffenheim’s leadership, could hope for a long time that the door in the title fight would be opened a crack for them. But Alonso and Bayer just can’t seem to lose.
“I didn’t think that we could lose until the 88th minute,” Alonso told Sportschau after the game, “this team has the belief to try everything until the end.” His Hoffenheim colleague Pellegrino Matarazzo said: “Despite the defeat, you have to see what the team achieved today. It was incredible pressure that we had to withstand – and unfortunately two went in.”
Bayer against Union, TSG welcomes Augsburg
Leverkusen will be away to Union Berlin next matchday (Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.). Hoffenheim welcomes Augsburg on Sunday (3:30 p.m.).
