32 competitive games, no defeat – only Bayern had achieved that before: Bayer Leverkusen also won against 1. FC Heidenheim in the Bundesliga on Saturday (February 17, 2024).
The key player in Leverkusen’s 2-1 (1-0) win in Heidenheim was Amine Adli. It was injury time in the first half when Adli set up Jeremie Frimpong’s opening goal with a cross pass (45th + 2). In the final phase, Adli also scored from close range after a nice assist from Florian Wirtz (81′).
In the final minutes the game became exciting again after Heidenheim’s Tim Kleindienst scored with a header (87′). But the equalizer was no longer achieved.
Heidenheim’s impressive series ends
It was the 32nd competitive game of the season for Leverkusen, and the coach’s team lost Xabi Alonso not yet. Only one German team had ever achieved this before, FC Bayern Munich of course. In the 2019/20 season, Bayern remained undefeated in 32 competitive games under coach Hans-Dieter Flick. Leverkusen has now broken this record. “I’m proud of the team, of the club”said Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso to ARD radio.
The club remains leader of the table. At least for one night, the lead over pursuers Bayern Munich is eight points.
This also ended 1. FC Heidenheim’s run. The club is playing its first season in the Bundesliga, you almost forget it. Before the game against Leverkusen, the promoted team had not lost eight Bundesliga games in a row (four wins, four draw) – this series ended with the guest appearance of the league leaders.
Bayer struggles – but still scores
Alonso, who celebrated 500 days as coach in Leverkusen on match day, had made two changes to his team after the convincing win against Bayern: Frimpong and Patrik Schick moved into the starting line-up for Edmond Tapsoba and Nathan Tella. The four-man defense in Bayer’s defense became a three-man chain again.
Before the game, Alonso had warned about Heidenheim, and the developments there were not lost on him either. He was talking about one “the most difficult away games of the rest of the season.” And Leverkusen actually had a difficult time at first, also because the originator, Wirtz, was closely guarded by Lennard Maloney.
Perhaps it was also because the league leaders initially hardly created any chances to score. Once Frimpong was well positioned after an assist from Alejandro Grimaldo, but he didn’t hit the ball (10th). A little later, Adli received the arm of a Heidenheimer in the face in the penalty area, and the scene was then checked by VAR. There was no penalty (21st).
Heidenheim’s goalkeeper Kevin Müller was really challenged for the first time shortly before the end of the first half, but he had no chance to defend. Wirtz played to Adli and Frimpong – Heidenheim’s Jonas Föhrenbach slightly deflected his shot. It was the lead for Leverkusen. “We could have avoided this goal”said Heidenheim’s coach Frank Schmidt to ARD radio.
Kersten Eichhorn, Sportschau, February 17, 2024 6:23 p.m
Heidenheim’s petty service hits (too) late
In the second half, Heidenheim became more courageous. When substitute Nikola Dovedan shot, Bayer had toKeeper Lukas Hradecky intervenes for the first time (58th). The game became more open. Leverkusen now had more space to counterattack. Frimpong narrowly missed making it 2-0 (61′).
But the FCH stuck with it. Hradecky had to save again (70th), this time against Benedikt Gimber. Wirtz (77′) first shot onto the crossbar on the other side and then wonderfully prepared the score to make it 2-0. After a free kick, the guests were careless, which Kleindienst took advantage of with his header.
Bayer against Mainz, Heidenheim against Union
For Leverkusen, the 23rd matchday of the Bundesliga begins on Friday evening (February 23, 2024, 8:30 p.m.), then 1. FSV Mainz 05 will be guests in the Rhineland. Heidenheim has a day longer break and then plays against 1. FC Union Berlin at 3:30 p.m.