Nigerian international striker Victor Boniface netted an equalizer on Sunday against Borussia Dortmund to maintain Bayern Leverkusen’s unbeaten record in all competitions this season.
The visitors got off to an early goal, with Julian Ryerson giving them the lead within five minutes of play.
Niclas Füllkrug controlled the ball effectively before teeing up his colleague, who dispatched the ball coolly beyond Luká Hrádeck to startle the home fans.
Leverkusen answered with the zeal that one would expect from an unbeaten league leader.
Granit Xhaka came so close to tying the game that half of the BayArena thought his shot had gone in, while Jonas Hofmann and Jonathan Tah both nearly missed making contact with threatening crosses.
On the stroke of halftime, Florian Wirtz felt the hosts’ perseverance had paid off when he blasted his shot in off the underside of the crossbar, but an earlier offside position by Victor Boniface meant the goal did not stand.
Early in the second half, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens surged through for a chance to double Dortmund’s lead, but Odilon Kossounou recovered superbly to force him off the ball before he could shoot.
Leverkusen were stirred into life by that early opportunity, just like they were in the first half, but they struggled to make any headway.
As the game opened up, Xhaka curled one chance wide from the edge of the box, and with the clock ticking, Leverkusen were forced to commit players forward while Dortmund attempted to do further damage on the break.
Patrik Schick was sent on to add further firepower to the Leverkusen attack, and he needed just seconds to make a difference, teeing up Boniface for the equalizer.
Boniface fizzed in another shot to sting Gregor Kobel’s palms as the hosts sought a winner, but they had to settle for a point as Dortmund’s defense held firm.
Patrik Schick was brought on to give more firepower to the Leverkusen attack, and he made an immediate impact, setting up Boniface for the equalizer.
As the hosts sought a winner, Boniface fizzed in another shot that pricked Gregor Kobel’s palms, but they had to settle for a point as Dortmund’s defense held firm.
Leverkusen remain unbeaten in all games played this season, and they sit atop the Bundesliga table with 35 points, closely followed by Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich.