Bayer Leverkusen dropped valuable points in the Bundesliga title race after being held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by bottom-placed Heidenheim on Saturday.
Despite taking early control at the Voith-Arena, Kasper Hjulmand’s side were twice unable to protect their lead in a match that could impact their push for Champions League qualification.
Leverkusen started brightly and were rewarded in the 22nd minute when Malik Tillman finished neatly at the near post, converting Aleix Garcia’s curling cross.
Patrik Schick then doubled the advantage before the half-hour mark, rising well to head home Alejandro Grimaldo’s precise delivery.
However, Heidenheim responded strongly after the break. Hennes Behrens pulled one back with a dangerous inswinging cross-shot that unsettled the visitors and shifted momentum.
The comeback was completed in dramatic fashion by substitute Marvin Pieringer, who became the game’s decisive figure.
He first equalised from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute after being brought down by Robert Andrich. Leverkusen briefly regained the lead when Schick scored his second header of the afternoon seven minutes later.
But Heidenheim refused to give up. In the 85th minute, Pieringer struck again, powering in Adrian Beck’s corner to complete his brace and secure a memorable point for the hosts.
The result leaves Leverkusen winless in their last three league outings, all ending in draws, with their top-four hopes now under pressure as just four points separate them from the Champions League places.
Statistically, there was little to separate both teams, with Leverkusen edging expected goals 1.62 to 1.57, underlining how evenly contested the match was despite the late drama.
Heidenheim, meanwhile, will take huge encouragement from a spirited performance led by Pieringer, who scored twice from just two shots to inspire their fightback.
