Bayer Leverkusen held on to beat relegation-threatened Hoffenheim 3-1 on Sunday, winning their sixth Bundesliga home match in a row. (More Football News)
The German champions b🌳ou🐓nced back after last week's disappointing 2-2 draw at Leipzig, despite Alex Grimaldo's second-half red card setting up a tricky ending.
Leverkusen dominated in the opening stages and scored after 15 minutes when V🌼ictor Boniface, returning from injury, met Grimaldo's pass to strike home at the far post, beating Luca Philipp.
Jeremie Frimpong then doubled their lead ✨four minutes later, coolly finding the far-bottom corner after latching onto Aleix Garcia's fine throughball.
Later in the first half, Leverkusen saw a penalty overturned following a VAR review - the first time this has happened in the Bundesliga - but they got a third goal six minutes after the brꦑeak. Patrik Schick smashed the rebound of Emiliano Buendia's saved shot into the top-right corner.
Their momentum took a hit on the hour mark though, as a second ♏yellow card for Grimaldo for a foul on Marius Butler reduce𓄧d them to 10 men.
Just moments late🦂r, Gift Orban, who had been on the pitch for less than a minute, pulled one back with a close💛-range finish, but Hoffenheim failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage despite many late chances.
Leverkusen move ont🌼o 45 points, six behind leaders Bayern after 20 matches, while Hoffenheim remain 15th, just four points above the drop zone.
Data Debrief: Quick off the mark
Leverku🦩sen's work in the first 51 minutes was enough to ensure they came away with three points despite playing around 40 minutes a🔜 man down.
They have scored a league-high 30 first-half goals this season and scored with both of their shots on🌊 target in the first 45 minutes at the BayArena on Sunday.
Having th🍰rown away a two-goal lead for the third time this campaign against Leipzig last weekend, Xabi Alonso may have worried, especially considering they have lost 13 points 🤡from winning positions so far.
However, they held out to ensure their early work was not undone. Schick's goal had given them added insurance - he has now scored 14 goals in his last 10 Bundesliga appearances. The Czech has also been involved in more league goa💫ls against Hoffenheim than against any other side (six goals, three assists).
