Bayer Leverkusen managed to secure a victory at home, keeping their deficit to Bayern Munich relatively manageable, all in anticipation of the upcoming clash between these two teams scheduled for just under two weeks. The final score was 3-1.Even before the match in Leverkusen, there was no doubt about the favorite. Bayer Leverkusen, a strong title contender in the Bundesliga and the reigning champion, took a patient approach against Hoffenheim, a team fighting for survival in the top tier.The first 15 minutes saw little to no concrete action from either side. However, in the 15th minute, from their very first real attack, Florian Wirtz delivered a great pass to Victor Boniface, who found himself on the left side of the box. With a precise shot, just under the arm of Luca Philipp, he put his team ahead.🚨🇩🇪 GOAL | Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Hoffenheim | BonifaceBONIFACE OPENS THE SCORING FOR BAYER LEVERKUSEN!pic.twitter.com/yiSox3xks2— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) February 2, 2025 Just over four minutes later, Grimaldo sent a long ball to the right side, where the pacey Frimpong sprinted past his marker, went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and doubled the home side’s lead. At that moment, it already seemed like it could turn into a disaster for the visitors.That feeling only grew stronger in the 22nd minute when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Nathan Tella. However, after a VAR review, it was determined that he was offside in the build-up, and the decision was overturned.🚨🇩🇪 GOAL | Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Hoffenheim | FrimpongFRIMPONG DOUBLES THE LEAD FOR BAYER LEVERKUSEN!pic.twitter.com/BP9rwwotLP— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) February 2, 2025 From that moment on, Xabi Alonso’s team seemed to slow down slightly. Around ten minutes before halftime, Hoffenheim took control of possession and, in the 34th minute, registered their first shot on goal. Another good opportunity for the visitors came right before the break, but Marius Bulter’s shot was stopped by Hradecky.We’ll take that! Winning at the break! 👊45+4′ | 2-0 | #B04TSG pic.twitter.com/Pj8hzPA8Cd— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) February 2, 2025 Towards the end of the first half, it is also worth mentioning that Emiliano Buendia, former Aston Villa player, made his debut for the club just three days after joining. He came on in the 42nd minute to replace the injured Tella. Thus, the first half ended with Bayer Leverkusen holding a 2-0 lead.The second half continued in the same rhythm as the first ended. Encouraged by their late first-half chances, Hoffenheim took control of possession, and in the 48th minute, Bulter attempted a decent header.GOAL SCHICK! 3-0 pic.twitter.com/EyMyWhNNGQ— WerkselfXtra (@bayer04Xtra) February 2, 2025 However, in the 51st minute, Buendia produced a brilliant solo run and fired a shot on goal. The ball deflected off goalkeeper Philipp and fell to Patrik Schick, who came on at halftime to replace Boniface, and he calmly slotted it into the net to extend Leverkusen’s lead.WHAT AN IMPACT!!| ⏰ 62′ | 🔴 3-1 ⚪️#B04TSG pic.twitter.com/0NNaKrQtWz— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) February 2, 2025 The fourth goal of the match nearly followed soon after when Frimpong missed a clear-cut chance after a fantastic team move. Almost as if it were punishment, in the 61st minute, Grimaldo received a second yellow card and was sent off. Just 15 seconds after he entered the game Gift Orban capitalized on a chaotic situation in front of Hradecky’s goal to reduce the deficit to 3-1.The last half hour of the game saw Hoffenheim dominate possession, but without any serious chances from either side. With this victory, Leverkusen is in good spirits as they look forward to upcoming challenges in both the cup and the league, while Hoffenheim continues their fight for survival.BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 20Friday Werder – Mainz 1-0 (1-0)/Bittencourt 14/Saturday Bayern – Holstein Kiel 4-3 (2-0)/Musiala 19, Kane 45+2, 46, Gnabry 54 – Porath 62, Skryzubski 90+1, 90+3/Bochum – Freiburg 0-1 (0-1)/Sildilla 34/Heidenheim – Dortmund 1-2 (0-1)/Honsak 64 – Guirassy 33, Beier 63/St.Pauli – Augsburg 1-1 (1-0)/Banks 17 og – Komur 83/Stuttgart – M’ gladbach 1-2 (0-1)/Elvedi 49 (og) – Ngoumou 25, Kleindierst 82/Union Berlin – RB Leipzig 0-0Sunday Eintr. Frankfurt – Wolfsburg 1-1 (0-0)/Uzun 81 – Tuta (og) 50/Bayer Leverkusen – Hoffenheim 3-1 (2-0)/Boniface 15, Frimpong 19, Schick 51 – Orban 62/
