At first nothing happens, then it happens in quick succession
For more than 20 minutes it was a game at eye level, but also on a manageable level and without any highlights. But then a miss by Bayer defender Piero Hincapie provided the first goal of the game. The Ecuadorian frittered away the ball against Baumgartner and Rutter converted his pass to make it 1-0 for Hoffenheim (23′).
As a result, Leverkusen could not build up any pressure, but all of a sudden they showed their class. Diaby broke through on the left and also crossed Schick, who scored the equalizer with a drop kick from ten meters out (34′). It was the Czech’s 23rd goal of the season.
Less than 120 seconds later, the goal anthem was played again in the stadium in Sinsheim. Hoffenheim hit back immediately – Baumgartner headed in after a cross from Pavel Kaderabek from close range with the diligent help of the sleepy Leverkusen defense to make it 2-1 (36 ‘).
Hoffenheim misses the third goal, then Bayer strikes
In the 54th minute, Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky prevented the deficit from becoming even greater. The Czech fished a header from Munas Dabbur out of the corner with a great reflex. Shortly thereafter, Robert Andrich and Jonathan Tah in the margin missed the opportunity to equalize (57th).
There were always chances on both sides. First Andrej Kramaric failed with an overhead kick from a few meters (62′), then Diaby just missed the opposing goal from close range (65′). However, he took his next opportunity. After a fine combination, Diaby appeared free in front of TSG keeper Oliver Baumann and scored the 2:2 (74th).
Beautiful, beautiful, chic
Schick provided the template for this goal, but two minutes later he showed an action that can be assigned much more to the “world class” category. In the fall, the Bayer striker prevailed against two defenders, then rounded Baumann and put Leverkusen in the lead.
Hoffenheim didn’t give up, but they were missing centimeters to equalize. First Jacob Bruun Larsen hit the post, then Kramaric shot wide of the empty goal (79′). At the beginning of added time, Alario decided the game with his goal to make it 4-2 from Bayer’s point of view.
Source: sho