Team Leverkusen celebrates after the German first division Bundesliga football match between TSG Hoffenheim and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Hoffenheim, Germany, May 7, 2022. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
BERLIN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Third placed Bayer Leverkusen came from behind twice and snatched a 4-2 victory over Hoffenheim thanks to the brace from top striker Patrik Schick in the 33rd round of Bundesliga on Saturday.
Hoffenheim assumed control from the kick but had to wait until the 22nd minute as Christoph Baumgartner dispossessed Piero Hincapie near Leverkusen's box before teeing up for Georginio Rutter, who hammered home the opener from 13 meters.
Uninspired Leverkusen needed some time to recover but restored parity out of thin air as Moussa Diaby's pinpoint cross into the box allowed Schick to head home from seven meters in the 34th minute.
Hoffenheim remained unimpressed and took the lead again two minutes later after Baumgartner nodded Pavel Kaderabek's cross past Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.
After the restart, both teams started with their guns blazing as Schick and Robert Andrich tested Hoffenheim custodian Oliver Baumann in quick succession before Hradecky had to defuse a dangerous header from Munas Dabbur at the other end of the pitch.
Leverkusen eventually turned its chances into a tangible reward in the 73rd minute when Schick's through ball found Diaby, who got his name on the scoreboards after beating Baumann into the top right corner.
The "Werkself" gained momentum and completed their comeback three minutes later as Schick wrapped up his brace after finishing off a solo run through Hoffenheim's defence.
Leverkusen still wasn't done with the scoring and made it 4-2 in the closing stages as Lucas Alario finished the job following a counterattack.
With the result, Bayer Leverkusen booked its berth for the coming UEFA Champions League season.
"We saw a shy first half from my team, but the second half was sensational as we pushed forward in search of goals," said Leverkusen head coach Gerado Seoane.
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund sealed its runners-up finish after seeing off relegated Greuther Furth 3-1 by courtesy of Julian Brandt's double strike.
Union Berlin will play in Europe next season as the "Eisernen" shocked in-form Freiburg 3-1 on home soil.
Yannick Gerhardt snatched Wolfsburg a 1-0 win over Cologne, who still clinch a European berth while relegation-threatened Hertha Berlin lost 2-1 to Mainz.
Already on Friday, Bochum secured a last gasp win to increase Arminia Bielefeld's relegation worries. ■
Diadie Samassekou of Hoffenheim shoots during the German first division Bundesliga football match between TSG Hoffenheim and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Hoffenheim, Germany, May 7, 2022. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
Odilon Kossounou (L) of Leverkusen vies with David Raum of Hoffenheim during the German first division Bundesliga football match between TSG Hoffenheim and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Hoffenheim, Germany, May 7, 2022. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
Moussa Diaby (L) of Leverkusen vies with David Raum of Hoffenheim during the German first division Bundesliga football match between TSG Hoffenheim and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Hoffenheim, Germany, May 7, 2022. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
Players of Wolfsburg celebrate scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Cologne and VfL Wolfsburg in Cologne, Germany, May 7, 2022. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
Lukas Nmecha (R) of Wolfsburg vies with Mark Uth of Cologne during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Cologne and VfL Wolfsburg in Cologne, Germany, May 7, 2022. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
Florian Kainz (R) of Cologne vies with Ridle Baku of Wolfsburg during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Cologne and VfL Wolfsburg in Cologne, Germany, May 7, 2022. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
Florian Kainz (L) of Cologne vies with Ridle Baku of Wolfsburg during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Cologne and VfL Wolfsburg in Cologne, Germany, May 7, 2022. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
Florian Kainz (R) of Cologne shoots during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Cologne and VfL Wolfsburg in Cologne, Germany, May 7, 2022. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
