The Werkself were intent on control of the game and goal threat from the start, with Jeremie Frimpong registering the first attempt of the evening in the eighth minute. But VfB also wanted to get on the attack, with Serhou Guirassy trying his luck in the 14th minute. The hosts produced the biggest chance of the first half through Alejandro Grimaldo and then Patrik Schick on the follow-up, but again they couldn't find the target. In the second half, it became an end-to-end contest, which the lively visitors initially made better use of - Chris Führich put Stuttgart in front with a tap-in on 47 minutes. The Swabians wanted more, and they got it when Deniz Undav made it 2-0 after getting the better of Robert Andrich in the 57th minute. Xabi Alonso's men responded energetically and began a fightback, starting with Amine Adli, who reduced the deficit with his third goal of the season. Bayer 04 upped the tempo with more big chances for Adli and Jonas Hofmann. VfB remained a threat at the other end, but Lukas Hradecky was always on hand. Leverkusen's unbeaten record this season was once again in the balance, but there was to be one more free kick deep into added time, taken by Florian Wirtz and bundled in on the rebound by Andrich to earn the Werkself a deserved draw and maintain their incredible run. The full match report.
Alonso summarised at the press conference: "The first half was very tactical with a lot of chances for both teams. We then showed a good reaction to going 2-0 down. We're always in a special momentum in the dying minutes, and our fans again believed that we could do it." Looking ahead, the Spaniard added: "Our big aim was to become champions and we always want to keep going and not stop. We have three games left in the league and a hugely important game against Roma next week, for which we'll be well prepared."
An emotional Hradecky also gave his thoughts: "I have no words for this madness continuing. It'd be nice for the goals to come earlier, but perhaps we need the adrenaline and this high intensity - especially for the coming week, when difficult tasks await us. This team know no limits. Let's see where it all leads."
Goalscorer Andrich was equally delighted: "You're always thinking: at some point the streak is going to end, but it's just not happening. Something like this is possible because we always believe in it. It's pure willpower and a beautiful feeling."
Bild ran with the headline: "It's unbelievable! Leverkusen rescue themselves again in the last second" and continued: "If you hadn't seen it, you wouldn't believe it." kicker gave a similar review: "Stuttgart squander 2-0 lead: Andrich in the right place", adding: "Number 46, the run continues. The new champions remain the masters of late goals." The Rheinische Post called it "late drama" and wrote: "It was Robert Andrich who ultimately crowned the hosts' constant pressure with the equaliser - with literally the last kick of the match." Spiegel titled: "Everything comes to an end - except Leverkusen's run. Bayer Leverkusen do it again against VfB Stuttgart: yet again the team scored in stoppage time and prevented their first defeat of the season. Coach Xabi Alonso could be talking about canonisation soon."
Grimaldo's assist for Adli was his 13th in the current Bundesliga campaign - a new club record since data collection began and more than any other player in the German top flight.
There was one sour note, though: both coaches were shown a yellow card. For Alonso it was his fourth of the season, meaning he won't be on the touchline for the next Bundesliga fixture at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bayer 04 fired 14 shots on goal, Stuttgart tried 11 times. The equaliser was also the 127th competitive goal for the Werkself this season - a new club record, surpassing the 126 competitive goals scored in the 2001/02 season. The Black-and-Reds also won over 52 percent of all tackles in the meeting with VfB. Stuttgart, meanwhile, were ahead with 50.8 percent possession. In terms of pass completion, Leverkusen achieved 80.8 percent and the visitors just under that (83.2 percent).
The Werkself are on their travels twice in the coming week. First they visit AS Roma in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday 2 May (kick-off 21:00 CEST), before heading to Frankfurt on Matchday 32 of the Bundesliga on Sunday 5 May (kick-off 17:30 CEST).
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After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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