Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Hoffenheim: Leverkusen complete comeback with two late goals to maintain title charge, unbeaten run

Bayer Leverkusen, the Bundesliga leaders, rallied late on Saturday to defeat Hoffenheim 2-1 and move closer to winning the league title.

Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in 39 matches across all competitions this season, now have 73 points, 13 more than Bayern Munich, who lost 2-0 at home to Borussia Dortmund and are still on 60.

A day after coach Xabi Alonso announced he would stay despite interest from major European clubs, Leverkusen, who are vying for three trophies this season, got off to a slow start despite controlling the pace of play.

Their attacks were stifled, and their finishing lacked precision, with Hoffenheim's Maximilian Beier silencing the home crowd in the 33rd minute by breaking clear and beating goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky from close range.

"In the first half we had problems to control the game and to reach the final third of the pitch," Alonso said. "But we kept at it and in the second half we scored. It does not matter when. We needed a goal to change the mindset."

After the break, the hosts applied pressure and created several chances, but Oliver Baumann denied them repeatedly, including a spectacular double save in the 76th minute.

With time running out, Alonso substituted forward Borja Iglesias, who rattled the crossbar four minutes later with the hosts constantly in Hoffenheim's box.

The pressure paid off in the 88th minute, when Andrich stabbed in an equaliser from a Florian Wirtz cross.

Schick volleyed home in stoppage time to complete the comeback and confirm Leverkusen's never-say-die attitude this season.

"Every game is a huge challenge for us. We were lucky but we showed a very good mentality to keep going, to keep believing. We had a chance to win just like against Qarabag and we did it," Alonso said.

"To have this faith to have a winning mentality, it is something that is created and we have created it this season."

Leverkusen, whose last major title came more than 30 years ago, will face Fortuna Duesseldorf in the German Cup semi-finals on Tuesday.

With 73 points, they have matched their club record from the 1999-2000 season.

SportsLigue