Bayer Leverkusen returned to victory in the Bundesliga with a 4-1 thrashing during their visit to Hoffenheim. After losing to Leipzig in the previous match, the Bundesliga champions were in debt and delivered a strong performance.
Piero Hincapié started in the Xabi Alonso team, after playing two full matches with the Ecuador national team against Brazil and Peru. The defender played in the back three alongside Tah and Tapsoba and performed well, saving a mistake that could have led to an opponent’s goal.
Leverkusen dominated the game from the start and found goals from Martin Terrier and Victor Boniface in the first half hour. There was calm in Xabi’s team, but the opponent scored before the end of the first half.
On a cross into the box, Hincapié miscalculated and failed to reach the ball, allowing Mergim Berisha to control it with quality in a tight space. Thus, he was able to score the consolation goal.
Hincapié looked unsettled by the action but managed to recover without any issues. He was precise in tackles and in buildup play, additionally pushing forward at times to support offensive efforts.
Leverkusen was able to seal the game with goals from Wirtz, from a penalty, and then from Boniface, who completed his brace. The champions added their second victory in three matches; in the next round, they will face Wolfsburg, but before that, they will debut in the Champions League against Feyenoord.