Spectacular display ends in a draw

The crowd at the sold-out BayArena watched a tactical game of cat-and-mouse in the first half, with both teams focusing on defensive stability and denying any clear-cut scoring chances.

Opening for Guirassy

VfB’s best opportunity arrived in the 14th minute when Leonidas Stergiou’s brilliant cross from the right found Serhou Guirassy in the penalty area, but the forward headed wide from close range.

Nübel to the rescue

At the other end of the pitch, Alexander Nübel thwarted Alejandro Grimaldo with a superb stop in the 29th minute, before Patrik Schick fired the rebound over the bar.

Intensive second half 

The match developed into an absorbing, high-class spectacle after the interval. Sebastian Hoeneß’s side took the lead through Chris Führich following an outstanding move shortly after the restart (47’), and doubled their lead via Deniz Undav a little while later (56’). Guirassy had a chance to kill the game off on the hour-mark but was unable to make the most of this opportunity.

That would prove costly, as Leverkusen increased the tempo and reduced the deficit in the 62^nd minute through Amine Adli. Nübel produced two eye-catching saves in the 65^th minute to keep out another Adli effort and one from Jonas Hofmann.

Late equaliser

VfB fought with passion and togetherness, but struggled to clear the ball out of the box after conceding a free-kick in the 96^th minute. It ended up falling kindly for Robert Andrich, who lashed in the equaliser from close range.

Goals

47’: Lukas Hradecky can only parry a shot from Jamie Leweling, setting up Führich to pounce on the rebound and prod over the line.

56’: Enzo Millot feeds Undav, who shows great strength to hold off Andrich before doubling VfB’s lead.

62’: Adli is played through by Grimaldo and pulls a goal back for Leverkusen with a low shot from just inside the box.

90’+6: After VfB are unable to properly clear a free-kick, Andrich latches on to a loose ball to score a late equaliser.