Bayer Leverkusen was tested once more in their chase for the Bundesliga title as they lost a two-goal lead on Saturday to tie 2-2 with relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel. Xabi Alonso’s side is now on seven points from three games, which means Bayern Munich can extend their lead at the top when they face Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.
The first half was off to a good start on the home side Leverkusen at the BayArena, Victor Boniface found the back of the net from a tight angle within the first four minutes of the game. The opener arrived from a driving run from Exequiel Palacios and the Argentine played the key part in setting up Leverkusen for Jonas Hofmann to make it 2-0 from the edge of the box.
But then Kiel responded just before the break and showed how vulnerable Leverkusen’s defense was. It only took a minute for Max Geschwill to bundle the ball home with his left shoulder and after a VAR review, the goal was [allowed].
In the second half, Leverkusen were unable to defend themselves and capitulated, Jann-Fiete Arp leveled the score for Kiel from the penalty area in the 69th minute. They are now guests at Leverkusen But, despite intense and spirited attempts, they could not get the winner.
Captain Lukas Hradecky described it as disappointing and the team’s loss of the relentless mentality that saw them to the previous season’s title winnings. What we were, was champions because we played each match with some level of vigor. Today, I didn’t see the desire to finish the game off, the goalkeeper said. It is stated that a 2-0 lead should be protected against any opponent.
In other match, Union Berlin defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1. It was Kevin Vogt who netted a penalty while 23-year-old Belgian forward Yorbe Vertessen doubled the lead to make it 2-0 just after coming into the starting line-up. Julian Ryerson got one back for Dortmund in 62, but it was not enough as Augsburg claimed victory and kept Dortmund at 10 points in the league after six matches.
In other results, Wolfsburg won their match 3-1 against Bochum, which took them out of the relegation zone. Freiburg won 1-0 at Werder Bremen to go third and Mainz III won 3-0 at St Pauli, Jonathan Burkardt scoring twice.
In the midweek, a battling performance saw Augsburg beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1.
Sunday will see RB Leipzig travel to Heidenheim, Bayern Munich take on Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart entertain Hoffenheim.
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