Bayer Leverkusen's six-game winning streak in the Bundesliga came to an end with a 3-0 defeat away to TSG Hoffenheim. The Werkself failed to score for the first time this season, conceding all three goals in a frantic final twelve minutes. The team, sitting fourth in the table with 13 points from six games, is now four points off the top.
The match was evenly balanced for long periods. Adam Hložek hit the post for Leverkusen in the first half, while Hoffenheim's Fisnik Asllani missed a big early chance. The deadlock was broken in the 79th minute when Asllani was fouled in the box. Andrej Kramarić converted the resulting penalty to make it 1-0. Alexander Prass doubled the lead just ten minutes later in the 89th minute. Deep into stoppage time, in the 96th minute, Max Moerstedt sealed the 3-0 win after a clash of heads with Loïc Badé, who had to be stretchered off following the midfield collision.
Bookings and a Sending Off
Patrik Schick received a yellow card for Leverkusen in the 58th minute, with Loïc Badé booked in the 75th. Hoffenheim's matchwinner Alexander Prass saw his celebration turn sour: he removed his shirt after scoring and was shown a second yellow card in the 90+1st minute, resulting in a red. Referee Daniel Siebert was forced off at half-time due to injury, with fourth official Robert Hartmann taking over.
The defeat is a setback in a tight title race. Manager Xabi Alonso's side remains fourth in the Bundesliga with 13 points from six games but is now four points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund. Top scorer Patrik Schick, who has six goals this season, drew another blank in Hoffenheim. Leverkusen must now regroup quickly. They host 15th-placed VfB Stuttgart at the BayArena on Wednesday. Their recent form of four wins and one loss from the last five games provides a solid platform, even if the season's tally of 16 goals scored and nine conceded was marred by this heavy loss.
Further reading: Der Spiegel Fussball
On Tuesday, coach Carles Martínez provided new details about Loïc Badé's injury. Martínez said the defender was "completely out" for about a minute and a half after the collision with Max Moerstedt and "remembers nothing". The 26-year-old had been carried off on a stretcher on Monday. The coach stressed that Badé's well-being is now the priority. The team, sitting fourth with 13 points from six games, is preparing for the home match against Stuttgart.
