Bayer Leverkusen held on through a late Hoffenheim surge to win 2-1 and take all three points at the Rhein Neckar Arena.
Hoffenheim vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Final score 1-2, Leverkusen hold on for all three points
Bayer Leverkusen turned a dominate first half into all three points as they held on throughout a difficult second half.
The visitors jumped out to a lead after 15 minutes with a goal from Lars Bender. Hoffenheim failed to clear a Gonzalo Castro free kick, and Simon Rolfes headed the ball into the path of Bender. He poked the ball past Koen Casteels for the lead.
Leverkusen doubled their lead in the 38th minute. Daniel Carvajal played a nice one-two with Andre Schürrle before beating Casteels and sending the ball into the open net.
Hoffenheim came out and dominated the second half of the contest. It wasn't until the 59th minutes that they were rewarded. Left back Fabian Johnson's shot deflected off of Kevin Volland before beating Bernd Leno. They were unable to find the equalizer.
Leverkusen remain in 5th place with the three points, but they put five points between themselves and 6th place Freiburg. Hoffenheim are sitting in 16th place on 12 points in the relegation zone.
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