Leverkusen and Wolfsburg share spoils

Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Wolfsburg
Goals: 1-0 Diaby 17’ (assist: Hlozek), 1-1 Andrich (o.g. 28’), 1-2 Arnold (pen. 54’), 2-2 Frimpong 76’ (assist: Sinkgraven)

Leverkusen were gifted with an early opportunity to take the lead after Micky van de Ven handled a low Diaby cross. The Frenchman himself stepped up for the penalty, but Leverkusen’s curse from 12 yards continued as he dragged his spot-kick wide. He made no mistake moments later, though, latching on to Adam Hlozek’s pass before tucking his shot through the legs of the onrushing Koen Casteels. Wolfsburg levelled with a huge helping hand from Leverkusen, Robert Andrich turning a Ridle Baku cut-back into his own goal. Late in the half, Diaby easily won a foot race with van de Ven, but none of his teammates could keep up with him, meaning there were no takers for his cross into the centre. That sprint saw Diaby set a new season speed record, but what his team needed quickly was goals.

Instead, it was Wolfsburg who found the next one. Edmund Tabsoba toppled Felix Nmecha in the area to give away the second penalty of the afternoon and Maximilian Arnold, unlike Diaby, made no mistake from the spot. On for his 50th Bundesliga appearance, Daley Sinkgraven crafted an opening for Frimpong to bring the hosts back on terms with 15 minutes remaining, his fifth goal of the season not just making him Leverkusen’s top-scorer, but giving Die Werkself renewed belief. Although Xabi Alonso's men created the better chances to win it, Wolfsburg held firm for a share of the spoils which does little to help either side escape their respective struggles.

• Diaby set a new season speed record of 22.69mph (36.52 km/h), faster than Sheraldo Becker’s previous best of 22.37mph (33km/h)
• Hlozek made his first ever direct contribution to a goal with his assist for Diaby’s opener.
• Leverkusen have missed their last four Bundesliga penalties, and five of their last six; they’ve missed six out of six in all competitions in 2022.
• Andrich scored his second career own goal, having also put past his own keeper in March 2021 for Union Berlin in a 5-2 defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt.
• Arnold took only his second ever Bundesliga penalty, having missed his first in October 2017 against Hoffenheim.
• The last 12 Bundesliga meetings between Leverkusen and Wolfsburg have resulted in either draws (four) or away wins (nine). It's the third longest head-to-head without a home win in Bundesliga history.

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Watch: Xabi Alonso - 'We have to keep fighting'

Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) - Kossounou (Fosu-Mensah 70'), Tah, Tapsoba - Frimpong, Andrich, Demirbay (Amiri 60'), Bakker (Sinkgraven 70') - Diaby, Adli, Hlozek (Hudson-Odoi 61')
Unused subs: Lomb, Azhil, Paulinho, Lunev, Sertdemir
Out: Azmoun (muscular), Bellarabi (fitness), Hincapie (suspended), Palacios (hamstring), Schick (groin), Wirtz (cruciate ligament)
Coach: Xabi Alonso

Wolfsburg: Casteels - Baku, Bornauw (Lacroix 90'), Van de Ven, Otavio – F. Nmecha, Arnold (c), Gerhardt (Guilavogui 73') – Paredes (Svanberg 73'), Marmoush (Wind 72'), Kaminski (Roussillon 76')
Unused subs: Pervan, Fischer, Brekalo, L. Nmecha
Out: Franjic (calf), Kruse (not considered), Roussillon (Achilles), Wimmer (ankle)
Coach: Niko Kovac