Highlights
C. Dingert
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Full-time: Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 Heidenheim
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0:16
Alonso: "We can't take anything for granted."
90'
+ 4
Easy street for Alonso's boys
Leverkusen continue to ping the ball around with the points obviously already in the bag.
90'
Six minutes of stoppage time indicated
The Leverkusen fans won't complain about that. They are in loud voice after another terrific showing from their fluent side.
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
88'
Bayer bouncing out of the blocks
Bayer Leverkusen now have a club record 17 goals in their opening five Bundesliga matches and are due to go level on points with Bayern Munich at the top.
85'
Substitution
85'
Boniface off after brace
Another successful day's work is over for Victor Boniface. He is taken off along with Grimaldo for Hložek and Hincapie.
85'
Substitution
82'
Adli makes it four!
The Leverkusen substitute adds another goal with a lovely little first-touch chip over Müller after a quick attack runs via Grimaldo on the left.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
82'
Substitution
82'
Substitution
82'
Substitution
Victor joins Harry in high-scoring club
© IMAGO/Eibner
79'
Substitution
77'
Boniface close to claiming match ball
That was almost the hat-trick! Frimpong charges forward and Boniface gets a chance to shoot on the edge of the box, sending the ball onto the outside of the post.
74'
Boniface extends lead!
No mistake from the spot by the prolific marksman, who smashes down the middle for his sixth goal of the season!
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
73'
Penalty to Leverkusen!
Maloney fouled Grimaldo when he had his effort on goal, and a spot kick is awarded by VAR.
73'
SituationNo penalty
ReviewFoul?
DecisionPenalty
72'
Grimaldo effort saved
Adli almost makes an instant impact after his introduction, pulling the ball across for Grimaldo to fire an effort on goal saved by Müller. VAR is checking for a potential penalty.
71'
Alonso makes double change
Exequiel Palacios had a day to remember with two assists, when he has never previously registered more than two in a season. He was on a yellow card though and is replaced by Andrich, with Adli also on for Wirtz.
71'
Substitution
71'
Substitution
70'
Substitution
68'
Heidenheim hunt another equaliser
The visitors remain far from out of this. Dinkçi takes the ball forward again and Maloney clips a ball into the box before Leverkusen clear.
65'
Boniface breaks shooting record
The Nigerian striker has now registered 36 shots in the first five matches of the Bundesliga season - something no other player has matched in league history!
63'
Hofmann restores lead!
Five minutes after conceding an equaliser, Leverkusen strike again. Jonas Hofmann meets a superbly threaded pass forward from Palacios and turns it past Müller for 2-1!
63'
Substitution
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
58'
Dinkçi draws Heidenheim level!
The visitors strike with their first shot of the afternoon! They win the ball high up the field and Beste turns inside and pulls it across for Dinkçi - who fires right into the bottom corner from the edge of the area for his fourth goal of the season!
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
57'
Wirtz drive saved
Xhaka lays the ball across to Wirtz on the edge of the box but the playmaker's drive is saved by Müller. Boniface then sends an effort wide moments afterwards.
56'
Only one team in the shot count
Goal attempts
8off target
5on target
0off target
0on target
52'
Leverkusen look for penalty
Frimpong has a shot on the edge of the box that hits the hand of a Heidenheim defender but it was an accidental touch and no penalty is awarded.
50'
Dinkçi denied by Frimpong
After a spell of Leverkusen pressure, Heidenheim have another good moment on the break. Dinkçi charges down the left but the staggering pace of Jeremie Frimpong allows him to get back and stop him on the edge of the box before he can get a shot away.
47'
Daring Dovedan
Tapsoba loses the ball and Dovedan bursts towards the Leverkusen goal to remind us that Heidenheim are not out of this. The visitors get two corners in succession before Leverkusen clear, with Boniface almost playing Frimpong through at the other end.
46'
Back in action
Leverkusen kick off. They are looking to take their lead home and secure three points.
Kick-off!
Half-time: Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Heidenheim
© IMAGO/Nordphoto
Half-time
45'
Flurry of Leverkusen chances
Boniface has two efforts within a matter of seconds and Hofmann has a shot blocked as the hosts look to double their lead before the interval.
44'
Heidenheim threaten on the break
Dinkçi does really well to bring the ball from the halfway line to the edge of the box before turning it across to Kleindienst - who scuffs a shot and has it saved by Hrádecký.
39'
Wirtz effort blocked
Frimpong wins the ball high up the field and turns the ball into the box - where Florian Wirtz has a shot blocked by a defender's leg.
37'
Theuerkauf booked
The Heidenheim midfielder is shown a yellow card for a push on Hofmann.
35'
Hosts threaten again
Wirtz charges towards goal and has a shot blocked. The ball lands to Hofmann, who scoops a shot in that Müller is able to save.
31'
Palacios gets a yellow
The Argentinian World Cup winner is the first man to get his name in the referee's notebook for a challenge on Dinkçi.
30'
Hofmann hits it wide
Kossounou picks Hofmann out through a gap in the defence and the summer signing from Gladbach twists on the edge of the box but drags his shot wide.
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
29'
All Leverkusen
Goal attempts
4off target
2on target
0off target
0on target
25'
Frimpong fires on target
The Leverkusen wide man waltzes down the right of the area past a couple of defenders and cracks a shot on goal that Müller saves.
22'
Dovedan seeks Dinkçi
A rare Heideneheim attacking moment as Dovedan plays a through ball for his fellow midfielder to chase. Leverkusen goalkeeper Hrádecký reaches it before Dinkçi, however.
20'
Around and around
The early lead has given Bayer Leverkusen a bit of a tactical cushion. They continue to circulate the ball at will but in a more relaxed way in the past few minutes as they wait for further openings to emerge.
Five in five for Boniface
© Getty Images
14'
Frimpong crosses for Wirtz
The Dutchman swings in a cross from the right but it sails over Florian Wirtz's head. Leverkusen keep on attacking and win a corner shortly afterward.
13'
Long shift in store for Heidenheim
Possession (%)
7426
9'
Boniface puts Leverkusen in front
A blistering start! Victor Boniface receives a pass from Palacios, turns straight past a defender and smashes the hosts in front!
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
8'
Xabi ball v Frank ball
The tactical battle lines are clear already - with Leverkusen threading together lots of short and sharp passes to try to work a way through the deep-sitting visitors, who are looking to launch quick attacks.
5'
Boniface shot deflected behind
A couple of lovely moves with a lot of short passing see the hosts get into some threatening positions. Frimpong has a cross turned away then Boniface has an effort deflected behind.
2'
No holding Heidenheim back
The newly promoted visitors are showing no fear - as we've coming to expect from them. They launch an early attack and Kleindienst gets the ball on the edge of the box - but Kossounou blocks him.
1'
We're off
Heidenheim get the match underway.
Kick-off!
Kick off approaching
The sun is beaming down in Leverkusen. We have a bunch of home fans delighted with an unbeaten start to the season, and a visiting club thrilled to play in a stadium like this in their first Bundesliga season. Everything is set up for a wonderful afternoon of football, and it all starts in ten minutes.
Another Boniface boost incoming?
© IMAGO/Uwe Kraft
0:03
Heidenheim in the house
Goals needed for the summit
After Bayern Munich's bid 7-0 win over Bochum yesterday, Leverkusen need to win by six goals or more today to reclaim top spot in the Bundesliga.
More on that Leverkusen team
Bayer are firmly back in Bundesliga mode! Four changes are made to the side that won 4-0 against Häcken in the Europa League on Thursday with Hrádecký, Kossounou, Frimpong and Hofmann replacing Kovář, Stanišić, Adli und Tella. They therefore revert to the same side that has started four of their five Bundesliga matches of the season so far.
More on that Heidenheim team
There was a widespread expectation that Frank Schmidt would place his faith in the same side that took their first ever Bundesliga win last Sunday, but there is one change from the XI that started the 4-2 win over Bremen. Nikola Dovedan makes his first start in midfield in the place of Marvin Pieringer.
Leverkusen starting XI
Hrádecký (c) - Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba - Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo - Hofmann, Wirtz - Boniface
Leverkusen subs
Kovář, Stanišić, Hincapie, Andrich, Amiri, Puerta, Tella, Adli, Hložek
Heidenheim starting XI
Müller - Traoré, Mainka (c), Siersleben, Föhrenbach - Maloney, Theuerkauf - Dinkçi, Dovedan, Beste - Kleindienst
Heidenheim subs
Eicher, Schöppner, Sessa, Pick, Beck, Keller, Schimmer, Thomalla, Pieringer
Xabi's a fan of Frank
© IMAGO/Nordphoto
Schmidt praises table-toppers - but has a plan
© DFL
0:19
Watch: BundesligaxNFL - win prizes now!
Leverkusen team news
© IMAGO/Nordphoto
Heidenheim team news
© Getty Images
Trigger-happy
Victor Boniface has fired off a league-high 29 attempts on goal so far this season, scoring four. Heidenheim's two-goal Tim Kleindienst - Bundesliga 2's top scorer last term - is next on the list with 17.
Probable teams
© IMAGO/Moritz Müller
A Bundesliga first
Leverkusen suffered 2018/19 DFB Cup elimination at the hands of Schmidt's Heidenheim, in the clubs' only previous competitive meeting to date. Bayer lost the last-16 tie 2-1, despite taking a first-half lead through Julian Brandt. Nikola Dovedan and Maurice Multhaup were on target for the hosts.
2:03
Watch: Bayern 2-2 Leverkusen - highlights
2:03
Watch: Heidenheim 4-2 Bremen - highlights
0:30