Ghost goal gives Leverkusen a controversial win

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayer 04 Leverkusen brought the Bundesliga back into regular action after the international break, opening matchday nine on Friday evening. With three changes to the team that played before the break, Hoffenheim were keen to finally record a positive result against their third-placed visitors.

Kevin Volland has been the first name on everyone's lips when Hoffenheim are mentioned and, inside the opening five minutes, he nearly showed exactly why, only for Toprak to block out his effort. The same defender was forced to bring down a charging Roberto Firmino on the edge of the box five minutes later and, had it not been for Philipp Wollscheid's clearance, Sejad Salihovic would have made the defender pay with his whipped free kick.

Home pressure, Sam responds

After a bright start from the hosts, Leverkusen finally settled into the game forcing a reflex save out of Casteels. But it proved to be a fleeting moment as Markus Gisdol's men responded. Kevin Volland superbly took down a long pass from Roberto Firmino, before the Germany U21 captain played a through-ball for Anthony Modeste who was denied only by a well-positioned Leno.

Positive interplay suggested the hosts would score first but that wasn't to be. A surging run from Gonzalo Castro ended with a pass to Sidney Sam and the in-form winger fired a low shot past Koen Casteels into the near corner to give Leverkusen the lead with their first shot. An instant response was needed and Anthony Modeste thought he had it but his close-range effort was once again saved by Leno.

Decisions cost home side

With ten minutes left to go in the first half, Hoffenheim found their equaliser only for Kevin Volland's effort to be incorrectly ruled out for offside during the build-up. The interval arrived with Hoffenheim the team on top but a goal down.

It was more of the same for the home side in the second set of 45 minutes. A sweetly-struck cross from Andi Beck was headed goalwards by Modeste, but Leno saved comfortably. Both sides settled into the encounter, before Casteels denied Castro shortly before the hour mark with a strong parry to his right-hand side.

Ghost goal, missed penalty

The game was decided in the 70th minute, but in a bizarre and highly controversial fashion. Stefan Kießling's header from a Leverkusen corner hit the side netting before ending up in the back of the goal after slipping through a hole in the net. Referee Dr. Felix Brych awarded the goal to the disbelief of the home team and the surprise of Leverkusen, most notably Kießling.

Hoffenheim were in shock. Roberto Firmino won a penalty but missed the chance to swing the game's momentum back in their favour as Leno saved his spot kick. Incredibly, the rebound hit the post, as did the ensuing clearance, as Gisdol's men just couldn't find a way through.

Shock for Hoffenheim

Leno saved well from Modeste again before substitute Sven Schipplock did what he does best and headed through Leno's legs to pull Hoffenheim back in the final few minutes. Both sides struggled to comprehend what had happened in the latter stages as the final whistle brought about much debate.

There will no doubt be plenty to discuss after the game as TSG have decided to appeal the match result. Hoffenheim's next Bundesliga game is away at 15:30 game against Hannover 96 next Saturday (October 26th), but it remains to be seen when or if this game will be replayed.

Jonathan Harding

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Casteels – Beck (81' Herdling), Abraham, Süle, Toljan – Strobl, Polanski (71' Schipplock) – Volland, Roberto Firmino, Salihovic (64' Elyounoussi) - Modeste

Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Leno – Hilbert (86' Donati), Wollscheid (46' Spahic), Toprak, Boenisch – Reinartz – Castro, Rolfes – Sam (80' Kruse), Hegler - Kießling

Goals: 0-1 Sam (26'), 2-0 Kießling (70'), 2-1 Schipplock (88')

Yellow cards: Toprak, Wollscheid, Hegler, Castro
Referee: Dr. Felix Brych
Attendance: 25, 000

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