Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga season took a blow when they let a two-goal lead slip away, ultimately drawing 2-2 with Holstein Kiel on Saturday.
Leverkusen’s hopes of winning the title early in the season were undermined by their defense, which was once again exposed in this game at the BayArena.
In another early blow to their Bundesliga title defense, Bayer Leverkusen lost a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with struggling Holstein Kiel on Saturday. With six games played, Xabi Alonso’s team currently has 11 points. On Sunday, Bayern Munich will visit Eintracht Frankfurt in an attempt to increase their lead at the top. After just four minutes at the BayArena, Victor Boniface gave Leverkusen the lead with a left-footed shot from a close angle.
After starting the goal with a breakaway, Exequiel Palacios again contributed to Leverkusen’s second four minutes later when he found Jonas Hofmann on the outskirts of the box, who slotted home with style.
But in first-half stoppage time, Max Geschwill drove the ball into the net with his left shoulder, highlighting Kiel’s defensive shortcomings that have dogged Leverkusen all season. Following a VAR check, the goal was declared valid.
Jann-Fiete Arp tied the score at 69 minutes from the penalty spot as Leverkusen’s attempts to find the winner were unsuccessful as they were unable to maintain their lead in the second half.
Lukas Hradecky, the captain of Leverkusen, claimed that his team had lost some of the winning mindset that had enabled them to unseat Bayern for the title the previous year.
“We approached every game like crazy, which is why we were champions. I didn’t feel like killing the game today,” the goalie remarked.
“The lead arrived too readily and too rapidly. No matter who you’re playing, Holstein Kiel, AC Milan, or Bayern, you should never let up a 2-0 lead, Hradecky continued.
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Yorbe Vertessen, a 23-year-old Belgian attacker, and a penalty kick from Kevin Vogt gave Union Berlin a 2-0 lead over Borussia Dortmund in the capital.
With a goal in the 62nd minute, Norwegian international Julian Ryerson gave Dortmund hope again, but it was insufficient as Dortmund lost 2-1, taking 10 points from a potential 18 points this season.
In other games, Wolfsburg defeated Bochum 3-1 on the road to earn three crucial points that helped them escape the relegation zone. Freiburg moved up to third place after a 1-0 loss against Werder Bremen at home.
Jonathan Burkardt scored twice as Mainz defeated St. Pauli 3-0 on the road in the Saturday night finale. Augsburg defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 on Friday in a match that was midtable.
On Sunday, Stuttgart will play Hoffenheim, Bayern will visit Frankfurt, while RB Leipzig will travel to Heidenheim.