Leverkusen equal unbeaten record with Heidenheim win

Heidenheim 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Goals: 0-1 Frimpong 45'+2 (assist: Adli), 0-2 Adli 81' (assist: Wirtz), 1-2 Kleindienst 87' (assist: Dovedan)

Fresh off a demonstrative 3-0 win over defending champions Bayern Munich, Leverkusen quickly set about consolidating their position at the top of the Bundesliga as Florian Wirtz tested Heinz Müller's reflexes inside four minutes. The unbeaten Bundesliga pacesetters continued to ask all the questions, with Müller blocking at the feet of Patrik Schick, but clear-cut chances were largely at a premium. Tim Kleindienst slapped a shot over in Heidenheim's only meaningful attempt of a first half that was on course to end goalless, until Jeremie Frimpong slammed in with the aid of a deflection in added time.

Frimpong fired off another warning shot early in the second half, before Heidenheim substitute Nikola Dovedan made Lukas Hradecky work for the first time with a deflected effort from inside the box. The lively Frimpong flashed a shot narrowly wide following a trademark run, but a spirited Heidenheim returned fire through Benedikt Gimber, whose 18-yard drive had Hradecky at full stretch to make the stop. Shortly after rattling the crossbar, Wirtz slipped a nonchalant pass into the box for Amine Adli to round Müller and double Leverkusen's lead. Kleindienst reduced the arrears with a close-range header, but Leverkusen held on for a record-equalling 32nd competitive game without defeat whilst moving eight points clear of Bayern, overnight at least.

• Leverkusen have set new club records after 22 matchdays for most goals scored (57) and fewest conceded (15).
• The game marked exactly 500 days since Alonso took over at Leverkusen. The team have earned 103 points from his 48 Bundesliga matches at the helm. Only Pep Guardiola, Hansi Flick - whose Bayern side also went 32 competitive fixtures unbeaten in 2019 and 2020 - and Carlo Ancelotti have a better points-per-game ratio in the Bundesliga.
• Frimpong scored his seventh Bundesliga goal of the season.
• Adli scored his second Bundesliga goal of 2023/24. His first fell in the 4-1 home win over Heidenheim on Matchday 5.
• Leverkusen have won all 18 Bundesliga games this season in which they have led at some point.
• Heidenheim lost for only the third time in 11 home matches since their promotion to the Bundesliga, ending an eight-game unbeaten run.

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Watch: Jeremie Frimpong on 'patient' Leverkusen display

Heidenheim: Müller - Traoré, Mainka (c), Gimber (Pieringer 82'), Föhrenbach - Maloney, Schöppner (Sessa 63') - Dinkçi (Busch 76'), Beck (Dovedan 46'), Beste (Pick 76') - Kleindienst
Unused subs: Eicher, Siersleben, Theuerkauf, Schimmer
Out: Keller (knee), Qenaj (knee), Thomalla (ill)
Coach: Frank Schmidt 

Leverkusen: Hrádecký (c) - Stanišić, Tah, Hincapié - Frimpong (Tella 88'), Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo - Adli (Tapsoba 88'), Wirtz (Hofmann 88') - Schick (Iglesias 74')
Unused subs: Kovář, Kossounou, Mbamba, Puerta, Hložek
Out: Arthur (thigh), Boniface (groin), Palacios (thigh)
Coach: Xabi Alonso

Watch: Xabi Alonso praises Leverkusen and Heidenheim