What the papers say: Poor finishing stands in the way of the Werkself

Under the headline, 'Werkself impress except for finishing' the online edition of the Kölner Stadt Anzeiger comes to the following conclusion: "The incident before the 2-2 goal could be the centre of discussions but one thing cannot be ignored above that: With even an average conversion rate Bayer could have won the game early on so that Benny Henrichs' stumble before the second goal was conceded would have been irrelevant. In other words: If Bayer manage to be more efficient in converting chances over the next weeks and months then when there will be no need to worry about the Werkself fulfilling their ambitions.
That assessment is shared by the Sonntags Express: "Bayer should have been clearly ahead at the break but the infamous poor finishing stood in the way of Heiko Herrlich's team. 'If you don't put your chances away…' That football cliché proved to be right shortly after the restart. A prompt slap in the face came in the shape of the equaliser score by Kramaric (47').

Shocked into submission? No way! Bayer shook themselves off and retook the lead through Bellarabi. Leverkusen remained on the front foot but were unable to land the decisive punch – and they ended up paying for that. Hoffenheim scored a second goal with their second chance of the game."

And the Bild am Sonntag adopts the same position: "Leverkusen mess up in spite of having every chance of winning." The lead-up to the second equaliser takes up more space in the BamS: "Leverkusen coach Heiko Herrlich: 'We were done over for the goal to make it 2-2. Henrichs didn't fall of his own accord. If you have video coverage then you need to take a closer look.'"

The Rheinische Post highlights that in their online edition: "Rudi Völler felt cheated of the victory…'It was a clear foul so they must have fallen asleep in front of the television in Cologne. We don't need video evidence if incidents like that are missed,' thundered the Bayer Leverkusen sporting director. The 57-year-old was convinced the goal scored by Hoffenheim's Mark Uth to make it 2-2 was preceded by a foul on Leverkusen's Benjamin Henrichs."

The Welt am Sonntag sums it up as follows. "Hoffenheim pinch point. Hoffenheim at least showed their Champions League quality in front of the opposition goal. In spite of a poor performance, TSG secured a 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen. That was primarily due to the efficiency of the strikers. Julian Nagelsmann's team lacked the necessary courage and power three days after the Champions League exit against Liverpool. Leverkusen were constantly camped in the penalty area of the team from Sinsheim. Only Bayer's poor finishing ensured the Werkself were just 1-0 up at the break."

 The online edition of the Kicker notes: "Leverkusen throw away chances – The only point of criticism that could be levelled at the Rhinelanders in the first half was the poor conversion rate. Bayer failed to put a number of great chances, including a four against three situation or a shot from Aránguiz in a promising position, into the back of the goal of TSG keeper Baumann."