Leverkusen left frustrated by Bochum draw

Bochum 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen

The return of Patrik Schick to the Leverkusen starting line up was a major boost for Gerardo Seoane's side in Bochum, but Die Werkself were again cursing their luck with injuries as Jonathan Tah had to be replaced by Mitchel Bakker just half an hour into the game. Both sides pressed forward at every opportunity in search of a breakthrough but both struggled to carve out clear-cut first-half chances of note, despite Takuma Asano and Paulinho, in particular, looking lively early on. Danilo Soares did rattle the crossbar after cutting in from the left onto his right foot and letting fly, but his deflected effort rebounded off the woodwork and to safety. Soares turned provider on the stroke of half time as his cross found Sebastian Polter for the biggest chance of the half, but the Bochum top scorer could only head straight at Lukas Hradecky from close range.

Asano was immediately presented with a chance after the break but the Japan international fired well over. Just as the first 45 minutes, both teams continued to find it difficult to create openings in the second half as the two defensive banks impressed. That was until Eduard Löwen - just seconds after coming on as a substitute - tripped Paulinho in the box, handing Leverkusen the chance from the penalty spot. Up stepped Diaby, who slipped as he made contact but found the back of the net nonetheless. The Frenchman had, however, struck the ball twice, with his left-footed effort hitting Diaby's buckled right foot as he fell and his spot-kick was ruled out for a double touch. It was terribly unfortunate for Diaby and Leverkusen, who could do nothing but accept the referee's correct decision. They also had to withdraw Karim Bellarabi - who had only been on the pitch for 11 minutes as a second-half replacement - as a result of yet another injury in a frustrating day all round for the visitors. They will, however, be guaranteed of ending the matchday still in third place.

Watch: Andrich: "Have to take the point"

• Asano made his 50th Bundesliga appearance.
• After more than 200 days out with a cruciate tear, Simon Zoller returned to the pitch for the first time since scoring against Hertha Berlin on Matchday 4 last September.
• Manuel Riemann may have taken and missed a penalty earlier in the season, but his record in facing spot-kicks is perfect. He hasn't conceded any of the three attempts from 12 yards against the Bochum 'keeper in the Bundesliga.
• Leverkusen have failed to convert four of their six penalties in the Bundesliga so far in 2021/22, including each of their last three.
• This was the first time all term that Leverkusen have failed to find the back of the net in the German top flight. They last fired a blank in a goalless draw with Werder Bremen on Matchday 32 of last season.
• Schick's 22nd Bundesliga outing of the campaign was his first start since getting on the scoresheet and then picking up an injury in the Matchday 23 defeat to Mainz.

Bochum: Riemann - Gamboa, Bella-Kotchap, Leitsch, Soares - Rexhbecaj (Löwen 63'), Losilla (c), Stafylidis - Asano (Blum 81'), Polter (Zoller 81'), Pantovic (Holtmann 63')
Unused subs: Esser, Masovic, Osterhage, Bockhorn, Tesche
Out: Antwi-Adjei (groin), Locadia (hip)
Coach: Thomas Reis

Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) - Kossounou, Tah (Bakker 30'), Tapsoba, Hincapie - Andrich, Aranguiz - Diaby, Demirbay (Palacios 77'), Paulinho (Bellarabi 66') (Sinkgraven 77') - Schick (Alario 77')
Unused subs: Grill, Lomb, Baumgartlinger
Out: Adli (Achilles), Azmoun (cold), Fosu-Mensah (thigh), Frimpong (ankle), Lunev (ankle), Wirtz (knee)
Coach: Gerardo Seoane