Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title defence suffered another setback as they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with struggling Holstein Kiel on Saturday. The result leaves Leverkusen with 11 points from six matches, offering Bayern Munich a chance to extend their lead at the top when they face Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.
Leverkusen started brightly at the BayArena, with Victor Boniface opening the scoring just four minutes in, slotting home from a tight angle following a break forward by Exequiel Palacios. Four minutes later, Palacios set up Jonas Hofmann, who coolly finished to double Leverkusen’s lead.
However, defensive issues again proved costly for Xabi Alonso’s side, as Kiel pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time. Max Geschwill bundled the ball into the net with his shoulder, a goal that stood after a VAR check.
Leverkusen’s shaky defence continued in the second half, with Jann-Fiete Arp equalising for Kiel from the penalty spot in the 69th minute. Despite their efforts, Leverkusen could not find a winning goal.
Captain Lukas Hradecky lamented his team’s lack of focus, saying, “We were champions because we approached every game with intensity. Today, I didn’t see the desire to finish the game off. You should never give up a 2-0 lead, regardless of the opponent.”
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund lost 2-1 to Union Berlin, leaving them with 10 points from a possible 18. Wolfsburg secured a 3-1 victory away to Bochum, lifting them out of the relegation zone. Freiburg climbed to third with a 1-0 win over Werder Bremen, while Mainz cruised to a 3-0 win at St Pauli. Augsburg defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 in Friday’s mid-table clash.
On Sunday, RB Leipzig visit Heidenheim, Bayern travel to Frankfurt, and Stuttgart host Hoffenheim.