Thanks to the 5-2 win against 1. FC Heidenheim, Bayer Leverkusen managed to win again in the Bundesliga after three draws in a row. The Werkself made it a 2-0 deficit.
Feeling: Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick skillfully scores the 2-2 for the Werkself with a brace.IMAGO/Uwe Kraft
Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso made two changes before the international break after the 1-1 draw in Bochum: Palacios and Aleix Garcia started in place of Andrich (bench) and Hofmann (left hamstring injury).
Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt also changed to two positions compared to the 1:3 win against Wolfsburg. In place of Scienza and Wanner, who were ill until the end (both benches), Maloney and Beck started.
Bundesliga – 11th game day
Dorsch and Honsak shock Bayer
As expected, the Werkself started the game offensively. Xhaka missed narrowly from the edge of the penalty area (4th). At the other end, Heidenheim took the lead with the first clear chance: after a goal from the Werkself, Pieringer won the ball from Hincapie and put Dorsch in the center to make it 1-0 (10th).
And things got even better for the people of Ostalbstadt. In the 21st minute, Honsak beat Tah and Xhaka too easily on the edge of the penalty area and shot accurately into the right corner of the goal (21′). But, bad luck for the guests after that: Pieringer landed unluckily on the grass without any opposition and injured his ankle. Wanner came into the game early for him (28th).
Double kick turns the game around
Shortly after, Leverkusen scored the next goal. Frimpong and Two minutes later the ball was in the FCH net again. This time Palacios first served Schick smartly, who sent an excellent lob into the goal (32′). Bayer were clearly better now, but also had to make a substitution shortly before the break. Tella (45 + 3) was replaced by Frimpong, who was injured in a collision with Müller early in the match.
Leverkusen finally turned the game around early in the second half. Wirtz prepared from the left and Schick scored his second goal of the evening with a skilful direct pass (52nd). Alonso’s team continued to clearly dominate the game, and after the break there was nothing more offensive from Heidenheim – until the 69th minute: the substitute Conteh was still under great pressure from Hincapie, only narrowly missing from good standing.
Send Xhaka to the third with a flick
Instead of equalizing, Bayer made it all clear on the other side shortly after. Arthur, who arrived recently, prepared with great feeling for Schick, who completed his hat-trick from close range with a header (71′). The game was thus decided. Bayer continued to let the ball through their paces and scored another impressive goal thanks to Xhaka, who was all too free, to make the final score 5-2 (82′).
During the week, Leverkusen will continue on Tuesday in the Champions League at home against RB Salzburg (9 pm), then next Saturday in the league at Union Berlin (3:30 pm). The top game in the Conference League against Chelsea (6.45 pm) awaits Heidenheim on Thursday, before Eintracht Frankfurt host Eintracht Frankfurt in the league on Sunday (5.30 pm).
Interview: A Deep Dive into Bayer Leverkusen’s Comeback
Setting: A virtual conference room, with the Time.news editor, Sarah, and Bundesliga expert, Michael, connecting from different locations.
Sarah: Welcome, everyone, to another insightful edition of our Sports Interview segment! Today, we’re diving into Bayer Leverkusen’s impressive 5-2 victory against 1. FC Heidenheim in the Bundesliga. Joining me is Bundesliga expert Michael, who’s here to help us unpack this thrilling match. Michael, thanks for being here!
Michael: Thank you for having me, Sarah. I’m excited to discuss this game, as it’s a great example of how unpredictable football can be!
Sarah: Absolutely! Now, Bayer Leverkusen had a rocky start, going down 2-0 early in the match. What do you think contributed to their slow start?
Michael: Well, it’s a combination of factors. Heidenheim came out strong, exploiting Leverkusen’s defense effectively. The goals from Dorsch and Honsak showcased their attacking prowess, capitalizing on defensive errors. That kind of energy can often put even the best teams on the back foot.
Sarah: That’s a good point. And speaking of defensive errors, after those two early goals, it seemed like Leverkusen really turned things around. What sparked their comeback?
Michael: The turning point was definitely the double kick they executed just before the half-time. Leverkusen’s ability to respond quickly after going down is crucial. Xabi Alonso’s tactical adjustments and the energy from players like Frimpong and Schick really shifted momentum in their favor.
Sarah: Speaking of Patrik Schick, he was phenomenal, scoring twice. How did his performance impact the team dynamics?
Michael: Schick’s influence was tremendous. Not only did he score the equalizer, but his overall play also pulled defenders out of position, creating spaces for his teammates. A striker in form can uplift the entire team’s morale and instill confidence, especially after those initial setbacks.
Sarah: It was quite impressive to see how the team rallied around him. Alonso made some key changes going into this match too. How crucial were those choices in the team’s success?
Michael: Very crucial! Alonso’s decision to start Palacios and Aleix Garcia set a different tone for the midfield. Their energy and control allowed Leverkusen to dictate the pace of the game more effectively once they found their rhythm. Adjustments like these can be game-changers.
Sarah: You mentioned control—it’s interesting because control often translates to possession. How did Leverkusen manage possession after falling behind?
Michael: After the initial shock of conceding two goals, Leverkusen began to focus on maintaining possession. They started implementing quick, precise passes, which not only built their confidence but also frustrated Heidenheim’s attempts to regain the ball. Their ability to retain possession allowed them to create more chances and, eventually, they capitalized on them.
Sarah: And with this win, they broke their streak of three consecutive draws. How significant is this victory for their season moving forward?
Michael: Winning is vital for any team’s psychology, especially after a tough stretch. This victory could be the catalyst that reignites their season. It builds momentum and reinforces belief in their tactics. They still have a long season ahead, and confidence from matches like this can really push a team toward higher standings in the league.
Sarah: That’s an interesting perspective. Looking ahead, what should we expect from Leverkusen in their upcoming matches?
Michael: If they continue to build on this performance, we can expect more aggressive play and better coordination both in defense and attack. They need to be mindful of starting strong in every match, as falling behind can lead to instabilities. If they maintain this level of play, they will be contenders for the top spots in the Bundesliga.
Sarah: Thank you, Michael! It’s always a pleasure to hear your insights. Let’s hope Leverkusen can keep this momentum going. For our viewers, stay tuned for more updates on Bundesliga action here at Time.news!
The screen fades as they both smile and the segment ends.