Highlights

Matchday 6

FINAL

BayArena

Holstein Kiel

69'

ArpFiete Arp

45' + 5'

GeschwillMax Geschwill

HofmannJonas Hofmann

BonifaceVictor Boniface

R. Hartmann

BayArena

0:25

Watch: Alonso: "We were deservedly punished"

Full-time: Leverkusen 2-2 Kiel

What a comeback from Kiel to secure only the second point in their Bundesliga history. And they’ve done it by coming from two goals down away at the champions. Leverkusen had raced 2-0 up through Boniface and Hofmann, but Geschwill’s header on the stroke of half-time gave Holstein a lifeline. Arp’s penalty midway through the second half then stunned Bayer further, and for once in their 100 games under Alonso they were unable to muster up one final telling goal.

Full-time

90'

+ 6

Yellow card

Jonathan Tah

90'

+ 1

Yellow card

Timon Weiner

90'

+ 1

Into added time

There will be five extra minutes. Will Laterkusen strike again?

90'

Grimaldo over

On his weaker right foot, he doesn't really connect and the ball flies wide.

90'

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.

Jeremie Agyekum Frimpong34.34km/h

Benedikt Pichler33.99km/h

Edmond Tapsoba32.99km/h

86'

Kiel shore things up

Some fresh legs in defensive areas for the visitors.

86'

Substitution

Nicolai Remberg

Lewis Holtby

86'

Substitution

Marco Komenda

Finn Porath

84'

Leaky Leverkusen

The champions have conceded 12 goals from six games this season, which is already as many as they shipped in the entire first half of the title-winning campaign.

80'

Looping over

Hincapié again up there. He flicks on a ball with his head. Terrier leaps highest in the middle but loops his own effort onto the roof of the net.

78'

Over the bar

Hincapié runs onto a free-kick into the six-yard box. It's a good leap but headed well over.

77'

Substitution

Amine Adli

Jeremie Frimpong

76'

Paying the penalty

This is the first time since May 2023 that Leverkusen have had a penalty awarded against them in the Bundesliga - a run of 41 games without putting a foot wrong in the box.

75'

Arp back in the big time

One-time Hamburg and Bayern starlet, that was Arp's third goal in the Bundesliga but the first since November 2017 for HSV. This was the first time he'd taken a penalty at this level.

73'

Almost the lead!

Great cross from Becker on the right. Pichler is unmarked at the far post and puts his header straight into the ground. That perhaps just allows Hrádecký to scramble across and palm it over the bar. The promoted side have the champions on the ropes right now.

71'

Changes galore

Alonso decides it's time to act and sends on three fresh players in defence, midfield and up front. Schulz, a centre-back, is on for Gigović.

71'

Substitution

Marvin Schulz

Armin Gigović

70'

Substitution

Patrik Schick

Victor Boniface

70'

Substitution

Aleix García

Exequiel Palacios

70'

Substitution

Piero Hincapié

Robert Andrich

Arp converts! Incredible!

From 2-0 down inside eight minutes, Kiel are level! Arp steps up from the spot and slots into the right corner. Hrádecký goes the other way.

69'

Fiete Arp

GOAL!

2:2

Penalty

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.

77 %

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

103.11 km/h

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.

11 m

68'

Kiel penalty!

Frimpong slides in on Gigović who suddenly bursts through the back line and is about to shoot clean through. Clear pen and a caution.

68'

Yellow card

Jeremie Frimpong

67'

Pichler!

The substitute is proving a real nuisance up top since he came on, this time chasing down a long ball, cutting between two defenders with a lovely flick and winding up to try and pick out the far corner. Tapsoba just recovers in time to block.

66'

How's your chances?

Kiel still very much in this at just one goal.

45'

+ 4

0.8 %

Now

2.2 %

60'

Hofmann makes way

The crowd chant his name as the Germany international is replaced. Nobody's had more shots or covered more ground than him so far today.

60'

Substitution

Martin Terrier

Jonas Hofmann

60'

Knudsen in the book

He's late on Hofmann and picks up the first card of the game.

60'

Yellow card

Magnus Knudsen

57'

Free-kick

Wirtz looks to skip past Becker into the box on the left. He's slightly held up before Holtby comes across to shepherd the ball out, but the referee calls play back for Becker holding his shirt. The free-kick comes to nothing anyway.

56'

Take what you get

Kiel have actually had three of the last five shots in this game, getting that goal back just before the break.

Goal attempts

10off target

6on target

2off target

2on target

51'

Andrich tracks back

Kiel's turn to break now as Arp chases a long ball and gets there ahead of Tah. He looks to flash it into the middle, where Andrich does well running back to his own goal to slide and guide it towards Hrádecký to clear up.

50'

Over from Tah

The centre-back is up and runs onto the end of a pass back towards the D. It's always rising as it sails over.

46'

Back under way

Double change for the visitors as they replace their front two of Machino and Skrzybski with Pichler and Arp.

Kick-off!

45'

+ 6

Substitution

Benedikt Pichler

Steven Skrzybski

45'

+ 6

Substitution

Fiete Arp

Shuto Machino

Half-time: Leverkusen 2-1 Kiel

Well, that late Geschwill goal has changed the picture a bit. The champions were in such control after those early goals from Boniface and Hofmann, and it was looking ominous for the visitors, but they're now right back in it for the second 45 minutes.

Half-time

45'

+ 5

Game on!

With the last move of the half, Holtby swings in a corner from the left. Geschwill blindsides Andrich to head in from four yards out for his first Bundesliga goal and a sudden lifeline for the promoted side.

45'

+ 5

Max Geschwill

GOAL!

2:1

Goal probability

46 %

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.

4.31 m

45'

+ 4

Machino!

Kiel finally force Hrádecký into a save as the in-form Machino drives forward up the left, cuts inside and lets fly. It's straight at the Leverkusen goalkeeper but he ends up making the block with his chest.

45'

+ 1

Added time

Four extra minutes to be played.

42'

Ball Recovery Time

Ball Recovery Time gives the time in seconds in which it takes a team to win back the ball following a loss of possession. It also allows conclusions to be drawn about a team's style of play. Only time when the ball is in play is counted (i.e. no breaks in play such as for goal-kicks, throw-ins etc).

Kiel struggling to get the ball back.

B04

KSV

13.5 s

23.3 s

38'

Comes to nothing

Yet again Leverkusen have space to run into, this time down the right with Frimpong. He has to cut back and play it inside. The ball eventually makes its way to the left, where a cross is blocked and the move breaks down.

33'

Hofmann impressing on return

He's had four times as many shots as the entire Kiel team so far.

Shots

Jonas Hofmann Lewis Holtby

31'

Boniface down

The striker has hit the deck holding his foot after chasing a long ball. But he's soon back to his feet without any help. Patrik Schick didn't look too concerned on the bench either at the need to warm up.

30'

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.

Jeremie Agyekum Frimpong32.45km/h

Armin Gigović31.67km/h

Steven Skrzybski30.99km/h

27'

Third goal ruled out

Again Leverkusen win the ball and carve Kiel open. This time it's Xhaka with the telling ball up the inside left for Boniface, who goes on his right foot this time to slot between Weiner's legs for a second time. But it's soon ruled out for offside on review.

27'

SituationGoal

ReviewOffside?

DecisionNo goal

Leverkusen cruising on 120th anniversary

The last time they found themselves 2-0 up this early was in their 4-0 win over Gladbach in August 2021.

22'

Holtby over

First chance of the afternoon for Kiel, coming from Grimaldo's attempt to dribble out on the edge of his own box. He's relieved as the visiting captain fires over from 20 yards.

20'

Grimaldo lets fly

One of those swerving, dipping efforts from the knuckle ball specialist forces Weiner into an awkward save low to his left.

20'

Done and dusted for the champions?

They were already overwhelming favourites at kick-off, but two goals inside eight minutes suggests Kiel have very little chance now. Still 70 minutes to go, though.

75.7 %

95.6 %

17'

Tame from Hofmann

After a short corner, Hofmann has a crack from the left on his weaker foot and it's easily gathered by Weiner.

16'

Free-kick comes to nothing...

Wirtz curls in a dead ball from wide on the right. It's flicked on by a Kiel head and away. Shouts for a handball after that, but it's checked and nothing comes of it.

11'

Birthday assists

Palacios has marked his first start of the season and his 26th birthday with both assists, while Hofmann has his first Bundesliga goal since 29 October 2023 against Freiburg as he gets his first league minutes since the first day of the season.

Shades of Bayern

Holstein will be having flashbacks to their game against Bayern the other week when they conceded twice in the first seven minutes. It was three by 13 minutes that day...

Hofmann grabs second!

Disaster for Kiel as Weiner's ball out from the back is chased down and deflected into the path of Palacios. He slips in Hofmann right of centre to fire low across goal and inside the far post.

Jonas Hofmann

GOAL!

2:0

Goal probability

10 %

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

112.21 km/h

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.

15.36 m

Boniface!

Almost two for Leverkusen and the Nigerian striker as Frimpong cuts back from the right towards the edge of the box. First-time effort that has Weiner at full stretch high to his right, sticking out a hand to repel the effort.

One effort, one goal

Goal attempts

0off target

1on target

0off target

0on target

Perfect start for Leverkusen!

A devastating move from back to front by the champions. Ball out from Xhaka deep in his own half up to Wirtz, who turns and drives forward. Pass into the feet of Palacios, who flicks it around the corner to Boniface left of centre and he makes no mistake against Weiner on his weaker left foot. Leverkusen's earliest goal of the season.

Victor Boniface

GOAL!

1:0

Goal probability

23 %

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.

13.13 m

Under way

Leverkusen in their smart retro kits to mark their 120th anniversary get things going in their first Bundesliga meeting with Kiel. The sides have met three times before across Bundesliga 2 and the DFB Cup, with Bayer 04 winning them all.

Kick-off!

Teams in the tunnel

Almost set to go at the BayArena...

0:11

Watch: Andrich gets warmed up

Century up for Xabi

Today marks exactly two years to the day when Alonso took over Leverkusen with the team languishing down in 17th place. It's also his 100th competitive fixture in charge. His record from 99 matches reads 67 wins, 20 draws, 12 losses, one Bundesliga title, one DFB Cup and the Supercup.

0:10

Watch: Kiel check out the BayArena

0:56

Watch: Champions arrive

Also three changes

Marcel Rapp also opts for three alterations from the team beaten 4-2 by Frankfurt last weekend. Steven Skrzybski gets his first start of the campaign following injury, while Marko Ivezić and Patrick Erras come into defence. Nicolai Remberg and Benedikt Pichler drop to the bench, with Carl Johansson not in the squad at all after suffering concussion.

Three changes from Alonso

He was asked yesterday about possible rotation and the Leverkusen boss responds with three changes to the team that started Tuesday's win over AC Milan. Robert Andrich, Exequiel Palacios and Jonas Hofmann come in for Piero Hincapié, Aleix García and Amine Adli. It's a first start of the season for Palacios, who turns 26 today, and a first start since the DFB Cup first round at the end of August for Hofmann.

Leverkusen starting XI

Hrádecký (c) - Tapsoba, Andrich, Tah - Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo - Hofmann, Wirtz - Boniface

Leverkusen subs

Kovář, Hincapié, Mukiele, Belocian, García, Terrier, Schick, Tella, Adli

Kiel starting XI

Weiner - Ivezić, Erras, Geschwill - Becker, Holtby (c), Knudsen, Gigović, Porath - Skrzybski, Machino

Kiel subs

Dähne, Komenda, Pichler, Bernhardsson, Schulz, Arp, Remberg, Rosenboom, Puchacz

Special kit for Leverkusen

The hosts will be wearing a special anniversary kit this weekend to mark their 120th birthday. The tradition strip throws back to their original kits.

Alonso on his 100th game

“A lot has happened, and we’ve all been through a lot together. The development of the entire club and the team is great, and I’m proud to be a part of this process. I’ve learned a lot, and at times it was very hard. I won’t forget the first few months in particular. I hope we can celebrate together with a win tomorrow.”

Rapp on Leverkusen

"Leverkusen has an idea of football that is very difficult to defend. They are very patient and often change their basic structure. We have to find a good balance in defence."

Alonso's thoughts on Kiel

“They may have only one point, but normally they’d earn more. They’re a good team who play well. They have a young and aspiring coach in Marcel Rapp. I’ve analysed Holstein Kiel well. They’ve done some fantastic things in the past. We need to be ready for them.”

Probable Leverkusen line-up

Hrádecký (c) - Mukiele, Tah, Hincapié - Tella, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo - Terrier, Wirtz - Boniface

Probable Kiel line-up

Weiner - Becker, Erras, Geschwill - Rosenboom, Holtby (c), Knudsen, Remberg, Porath - Pichler, Machino

Rapp's thoughts on Leverkusen

"Leverkusen are probably the biggest challenge, next to Bayern Munich. We'll face similar things to what we did against Frankfurt. Against supposedly stronger opponents, we might have to take things a little easier."

Kiel's goal Machino

Shuto Machino has scored four of Kiel's seven Bundesliga goals to date.

Leverkusen on a roll

Bayer 04 are unbeaten in their last 12 games against sides newly promoted to the Bundesliga (two draws, 10 wins) and have won their last seven in a row in these fixtures.

History favours Bayer 04

Holstein Kiel and Bayer Leverkusen have only met three times in competitive games. The Werkself won on all three occasions.

2:03

Watch: Kiel 2-4 Eintracht Frankfurt

Shuto Machino twice had Kiel on level terms against Eintracht but the Storks ultimately ended up losing out to an Omar Marmoush-inspired Frankfurt side last weekend.

2:03

Watch: Bayern 1-1 Leverkusen

The defending champions earned a 1-1 draw at the home of the Rekordmeister last weekend, with Robert Andrich netting a tasty opener for the Werkself at the Allianz Arena.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 6 fixture between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Holstein Kiel.