Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen left it late with Robert Andrich and Patrik Schick scoring either side of the 90-minute mark in a sensational late comeback against Hoffenheim.

Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Hoffenheim
Goals: 0-1 Beier 33' (assist: Weghorst), 1-1 Andrich 88' (assist: Tah), 2-1 Schick 90'+1 (assist: Tella)

Xabi Alonso's unbeaten league leaders began after the international break exactly where they left off - stretching Hoffenheim's defence with some fine passing moves. Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz both went close from distance in the opening phases as the visitors packed their own penalty area and sought to frustrate Leverkusen. After riding out the early storm, Hoffenheim began to play their own part in the affair. They snatched the lead with their first effort as Maximilian Beier and Wout Weghorst sliced open the defence on a swift attack and the striker, who recently received his first Germany call-up, slotted in clinically. Xhaka, Jonas Hofmann and Robert Andrich all went close before the break, but Weghorst also fired over from a promising position as the opening goal ignited the encounter. 

Hoffenheim's defensive ranks held firm at the start of the second period too as Leverkusen continued to push for a leveller. Piero Hincapié header an effort into Oliver Baumann's arms before Wirtz wound his way into the area and was denied by the Hoffenheim goalkeeper at his near post. Jeremie Frimpong had a shot deflected over as the visiting men in white chased back at every opportunity and smothered the leaders' incessant attacks. When Leverkusen did break through the defence, Baumann was there to save the visitors - most spectacularly in denying both Patrik Schick and substitute Amine Adli with a double stop. Just when it looked like the leaders would finally see their remarkable 38-game unbeaten run ending, their pressure finally told with a remarkable late comeback. Andrich and Schick struck in the final few minutes to break Hoffenheim's hearts and send Leverkusen one step closer to sealing a sensational first Bundesliga title.

Watch: Xabi Alonso on Leverkusen's winning mentality

Match stats

• Leverkusen are unbeaten in a German record-extending 39 competitive matches. They are the first Bundesliga team to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League group stage.
• Schick has five goals in his past five competitive appearances.
• Andrich's three goals in all competitions this season have all come since the start of February.
• Leverkusen hit 36 shots today - no other side has managed as many as 30 shots in a game this season.
• Beier leads the Hoffenheim scoring chart with 13 goals in 2023/24. The 21-year-old has five of his side's past six goals. 
• Tim Drexler picked up his first yellow card in the Bundesliga in his third appearance - and with the 19-year-old's first-ever foul in the league.

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Teams

Leverkusen: Hrádecký (c) - Tapsoba (Stanišić 87'), Tah, Hincapié (Iglesias 72') - Frimpong (Tella 86'), Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo - Hofmann (Adli 58'), Wirtz – Schick
Unused subs: Kovář, Kossounou, Mbamba, Puerta, Hložek
Out: Arthur (thigh), Boniface (groin), Palacios (muscular)
Coach: Xabi Alonso

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Kabak, Grillitsch, Drexler - Kadeřábek, Stach, Tohumcu (Geiger 73'), Jurásek - Kramarić (Prömel 58') - Weghorst (Bülter 78'), Beier (Bebou 73')
Unused subs: Noll, Akpoguma, Nsoki, Prömel, Geiger, Becker, Skov
Out: Berisha (knee), Brooks (suspended), John (knee)
Coach: Pellegrino Matarazzo

About the clubs

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

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TSG Hoffenheim

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