Champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen flexed their muscles in the Bundesliga: Led by an unstoppable Victor Boniface, Bayer achieved a nearly straightforward 4:1 (2:1) away victory against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
The Nigerian, wearing a white Bayer jersey that afternoon, scored twice (30th minute, 75th) and was significantly involved in the other two goals for the champions by Martin Terrier (17th) and Florian Wirtz (72nd, penalty). Mergim Berisha had briefly put TSG back into the game with a goal to make it 1:2 (37th).
TSG coach Pellegrino Mattarazzo explained at the Sportschau microphone: “The result is very clear, the goals are too easy. We are currently not at the level to win such a game against Leverkusen.”
Boniface drew criticism after his self-willed celebration. He had pulled his shorts down towards his knees and started dancing. “I didn’t want to provoke anyone”, said the match winner: “That’s a TikTok trend in Nigeria.”
Hoffenheim’s Matarazzo Asks for Calm – But Not from His Players
“Calm and trust” is what Mattarazzo wished from the officials of his club after he was confronted shortly before the Leverkusen match with the apparent interest of TSG in national co-coach Sandro Wagner. Matarazzo noted the untimely unrest – not beneficial for his players.
However, from his players, he likely expected exactly that: unrest, hustle, energy. Because those virtues were exactly what the Hoffenheim team had missed before the international break against Eintracht Frankfurt (1:3). And indeed: In beautiful football weather, the Kraichgau team rallied after just a quarter of an hour and held their own well against a previously dominant Leverkusen side.
TSG with Great Chances
First, Marius Bülter narrowly missed Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky from a tight angle (15th), shortly thereafter Andrej Kramaric hit his own teammate Berisha from eleven meters. And just a tick of the clock later, Berisha himself had a great chance to make it 1:0: His header from close range bounced off the post.
Michael Bollenbacher, Sportschau, 14.09.2024 17:37 Uhr
It is an age-old rule that once again proved true: If you don’t score up front… The TSG conceded the first goal in the 17th minute: Boosted by their own great chances, the defense had pushed too far up and was caught off guard by a long ball behind the line. Boniface was free in front of keeper Oliver Baumann, unselfishly squared to Martin Terrier, who tapped in to make it 0:1.
Leverkusen’s Boniface Strong, Hoffenheim’s Berisha Too
And that was not enough: Moments later, Boniface fought off Alexander Prass in a strong duel and left Baumann with no chance with a dry shot into the near corner – 0:2 (30th). The fans in Sinsheim were treated to a truly gripping match – Hoffenheim responded with furious attacks. And they could now rely on a demanding striker: Berisha beautifully brought down the ball under strong pressure in the box in the 37th minute and coolly slotted in from eleven meters to make it 1:2.
Two minutes later, nearly the equalizer: Berisha pressed the ball over the line after a shot that Hradecky deflected forward – only: the striker was offside. And just before halftime, it almost became 1:3: Boniface had a clear path after a pass from Granit Xhaka but saw his shot to the near corner saved brilliantly by Baumann.
Match Dwindles After the Break
Hoffenheim remained in the match, which significantly dwindled after the break. The actions on the field remained intense, but not much happened in the penalty areas. Until the 68th minute when referee Daniel Schlager showed Hoffenheim’s Dennis Geiger a yellow card for a foul on Alex Grimaldo. What the VAR then pointed out had far more devastating consequences for TSG: The foul was just inside the box, a penalty was awarded. Florian Wirtz confidently converted to make it 3:1 for Leverkusen (72nd).
And it quickly got even worse: Boniface, who had been impossible for the TSG defenders to stop, finished emphatically after an impressive solo to make it 1:4 (75th). That was it – TSG had another defeat in their bag, Bayer made an impressive comeback after their home defeat against Leipzig (2:3).
Leverkusen Against Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim in Berlin
Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who will compete in the Champions League against Feyenoord Rotterdam during the week, must face Wolfsburg next weekend (22.09., 15:30 Uhr). TSG Hoffenheim will visit Union Berlin (21.09., 15:30 Uhr).