Masterful performance: Bayer wins in Hoffenheim

Bayer Leverkusen has returned with a masterful performance after the end of an impressive winning streak of 35 unbeaten Bundesliga games. The defending champions beat TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 4-1 (2-1) thanks to a confident performance and now have six points in their account.

In front of 30,150 spectators, Martin Terrier scored Leverkusen's goals in the 17th minute, Victor Boniface (30th/75th) and Florian Wirtz (72nd) from a penalty. Mergim Berisha scored for Hoffenheim (37th).

Two weeks after the 2:3 defeat against RB Leipzig, the Werkself appeared to have recovered well from the sporting setback. From the beginning, the champions and cup winners dictated the rhythm of the party and at times tied the home team down in their own half.

Bayer gets off to a stormy start

After just three minutes, the Terrier, who came from Stade Rennes in the summer, had the chance to take the lead, but only hit the side netting. TSG only sporadically ventured into the offensive. One of the rare attacks then turned into a boomerang.

After a pass from his own half, the conspicuous Boniface had a clear path and passed the ball across to Terrier, who was running alongside him, and he slotted the ball in for his first Bundesliga goal. Referee Daniel Schlager initially annulled the goal because the assist provider was supposedly offside, but then gave it after a review by the video assistant.

Bayer did not rest on their slender lead and continued to play forward. Boniface's header was saved by TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who drew level with Lothar Matthäus and Toni Schumacher with his 464th Bundesliga appearance. Shortly afterwards, however, Baumann was powerless against a powerful low shot from Boniface. This was preceded by a wonderful pass from Granit Xhaka.

Only then did Hoffenheim find their game a little better and quickly equalised. Berisha scored after a pass from Andrej Kramaric. Just a minute later, the striker's second goal was disallowed for offside.

Shortly before the break, the guests were on the attack again. First, Baumann made a strong save against Boniface, who was running free, and then TSG defender Kevin Akpoguma headed a shot from Wirtz off the line.

VAR helps Bayer a second time

After the break, things were not as fast-paced. There were only a few scenes in the penalty area. A long-range shot by Robert Andrich, which Baumann parried, was the only exciting moment for a long time – until about 20 minutes before the end. Then the focus again shifted to video evidence.

After a foul on Alejandro Grimaldo, the Schlager director awarded a free kick, but the video room in Cologne reported it. According to the TV images, the crime scene was moved to the penalty area – penalty. Wirtz converted it ice-coldly. When Bonifatius scored a brace a little later, the party was over.