Emiliano Buendia’s dramatic stoppage-time winner kept Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title hopes alive on Saturday, as they eked out a tense 1-0 victory over Heidenheim.
For most of the match, it seemed the reigning champions would lose more ground to Bayern Munich in the title race. But Buendia, coming off the bench, delivered a moment of magic in the 91st minute to seal the win.
Heidenheim had started the brighter of the two teams, and came closest in the first half when Benedikt Gimber rattled the woodwork.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, looked uninspired going forward and failed to register a single shot on target before the break.
Manager Xabi Alonso, searching for a spark, turned to his bench in the 68th minute, sending on Arthur and Patrik Schick. But it was Buendia, introduced nine minutes later, who made the difference.
After being picked out by Jonas Hofmann, the Argentine curled a sublime shot beyond Kevin Muller, ensuring a crucial three points for Leverkusen.
“The hosts, however, started the contest strongly, with Benedikt Gimber striking the woodwork midway through the first half as Leverkusen struggled to create anything.”
Buendia’s goal not only earned Leverkusen their 200th Bundesliga goal under Alonso, achieved in just his 88th league game, but also highlighted their incredible depth. “After collecting Jonas Hofmann’s pass, Buendia bent a wonderful effort beyond the grasp of Kevin Muller to seal a huge win for the defending champions.”
Despite a lackluster display for much of the game, Leverkusen’s late heroics rescued them once more. “For much of the contest, Leverkusen did not look like a side that were challenging for the title. But their quality in reserve bailed them out once again, with another stoppage-time goal added to their collection during Alonso’s tenure.”
The victory puts Leverkusen on 62 points, six behind leaders Bayern Munich, with six games remaining in the campaign. “Leverkusen are in second place on 62 points, six behind leaders Bayern Munich, with six matches left to play.”
Saturday’s win also extended Leverkusen’s unbeaten away run in the Bundesliga to 31 games (23 wins, 8 draws), the second-longest streak in the league’s history.
They are now just two games away from matching Bayern’s record of 33, set between April 2012 and March 2014. “Leverkusen are now unbeaten in their last 31 Bundesliga away games (W23 D8), the second-longest run in league history. They are now just two victories away from Bayern’s record of 33, which they managed between April 2012 and March 2014.”
And with Buendia’s last-gasp winner, Alonso joins elite company. “Buendia’s late strike brought up Leverkusen’s 200th Bundesliga goal under Alonso in what was his 88th game in the competition. This century, only Pep Guardiola has reached that milestone quicker than the Spaniard (76 games).”
