Bundesliga
Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen left it late with Robert Andrich and Patrik Schick scoring either side of the 90-minute mark in a sensational late comeback against Hoffenheim.
Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Hoffenheim
Goals: 0-1 Beier 33' (assist: Weghorst), 1-1 Andrich 88' (assist: Tah), 2-1 Schick 90'+1 (assist: Tella)
Xabi Alonso's unbeaten league leaders began after the international break exactly where they left off - stretching Hoffenheim's defence with some fine passing moves. Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz both went close from distance in the opening phases as the visitors packed their own penalty area and sought to frustrate Leverkusen. After riding out the early storm, Hoffenheim began to play their own part in the affair. They snatched the lead with their first effort as Maximilian Beier and Wout Weghorst sliced open the defence on a swift attack and the striker, who recently received his first Germany call-up, slotted in clinically. Xhaka, Jonas Hofmann and Robert Andrich all went close before the break, but Weghorst also fired over from a promising position as the opening goal ignited the encounter.
Hoffenheim's defensive ranks held firm at the start of the second period too as Leverkusen continued to push for a leveller. Piero Hincapié header an effort into Oliver Baumann's arms before Wirtz wound his way into the area and was denied by the Hoffenheim goalkeeper at his near post. Jeremie Frimpong had a shot deflected over as the visiting men in white chased back at every opportunity and smothered the leaders' incessant attacks. When Leverkusen did break through the defence, Baumann was there to save the visitors - most spectacularly in denying both Patrik Schick and substitute Amine Adli with a double stop. Just when it looked like the leaders would finally see their remarkable 38-game unbeaten run ending, their pressure finally told with a remarkable late comeback. Andrich and Schick struck in the final few minutes to break Hoffenheim's hearts and send Leverkusen one step closer to sealing a sensational first Bundesliga title.
Watch: Xabi Alonso on Leverkusen's winning mentality
Leverkusen: Hrádecký (c) - Tapsoba (Stanišić 87'), Tah, Hincapié (Iglesias 72') - Frimpong (Tella 86'), Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo - Hofmann (Adli 58'), Wirtz – Schick
Unused subs: Kovář, Kossounou, Mbamba, Puerta, Hložek
Out: Arthur (thigh), Boniface (groin), Palacios (muscular)
Coach: Xabi Alonso
Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Kabak, Grillitsch, Drexler - Kadeřábek, Stach, Tohumcu (Geiger 73'), Jurásek - Kramarić (Prömel 58') - Weghorst (Bülter 78'), Beier (Bebou 73')
Unused subs: Noll, Akpoguma, Nsoki, Prömel, Geiger, Becker, Skov
Out: Berisha (knee), Brooks (suspended), John (knee)
Coach: Pellegrino Matarazzo