Head coach Xabi Alonso made just one change to his team from the 5-1 win at home to Darmstadt prior to the international break. That saw Robert Andrich come in for Palacios. The home side started strongly as the Werkself struggled to find their feet. Konrad Laimer had the first attempt before the defending champions went ahead. Edmond Tapsoba tried to clear a Leroy Sane corner but only flicked it on into the path of Kane, who nodded in at the far post with seven minutes gone.
However, Leverkusen soon started to get into the game and create chances themselves. But it was a free-kick from a central position that brought the equaliser as Grimaldo fired his shot over the wall and past Sven Ulreich into the top corner. The match then opened up into an end-to-end affair with chances for both sides. Victor Boniface had a couple of opportunities and a goal ruled out for offside, before Sane and Serge Gnabry had efforts of their own. It remained 1-1 going into the break, though.
Things continued where they left off in the second half. Jeremie Frimpong had the next big chance when played in by Grant Xhaka, only for Ulreich to save with his leg. Lukas Hradecky then did the same only moments later, producing a brilliant reaction stop to deny Kane from close range. Things then started to calm down as both teams looked to take less risks.
It was all build-up for a breathless closing period, which saw the 5,000 travelling Leverkusen supporters witness yet more attacking play from their team. Florian Wirtz dribbled his way through left of goal and fired across Ulreich, only to see the ball rebound off the far post with 78 minutes on the clock. Only moments later, Boniface got past Minjae Kim but was also denied by the Bayern goalkeeper. Then with four minutes of regular time remaining, substitute Mathys Tel squared for Goretzka to sweep home and put the hosts ahead. The drama wasn’t over there, though. After Jonas Hofmann went down under a challenge from Alphonso Davies, referee Daniel Schlager reviewed the scene on the monitor and opted for a penalty. Like he did against Bayern last season, Palacios held his nerve from the spot to convert and earn a deserved 2-2 draw, this time in Munich.
Fixtures come thick and fast now for Bayer 04 as the UEFA Europa League kicks off with the visit of Swedish champions Häcken to the BayArena on Thursday (18:45 CEST). Then Alonso and his team host promoted Heidenheim on Matchday 5 in the Bundesliga on Sunday (15:30).
Match stats:
Bayern: Ulreich – Laimer (De Ligt 85'), Upamecano, Kim, Davies – Goretzka, Kimmich (Mazraoui 61') – Sane, Müller (Musiala 61'), Gnabry (Tel 70') – Kane (Choupo-Moting 85')
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba (Hlozek 90') – Frimpong (Adli 82'), Andrich (Palacios 46'), Xhaka, Grimaldo – Hofmann (Hincapie 90'+6), Wirtz (Amiri 90'+6) – Boniface
Goals: 1-0 Kane (7'), 1-1 Grimaldo (24'), 2-1 Goretzka (86'), 2-2 Palacios (90'+4, pen)
Yellow cards: Tuchel (coach) - Hofmann, Wirtz, Tapsoba
Referee: Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheim)
Attendance: 75,000 (Allianz Arena)
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
Show more
On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen are bringing back Kerim Alajbegovic, who joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2025. The Bundesliga club activated the buy-back option in the contract with the Bosnia international, who has enjoyed great success at the Austrian top-flight club since the start of the current season. Alajbegovic moved to Salzburg from the Leverkusen U19s last year. The 1.86-metre forward has signed a five-year contract at Leverkusen with a start date of 1 July 2026.
Show more
Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
Show more
