Bayer Leverkusen drew 1-1 with 10-man VfL Bochum on Sunday, continuing their struggles in the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen have now failed to win at home in five straight league matches and the draw leaves them with 37 points, five points behind the final Europa League spot.
Christoph Dabrowski gave Bochum the lead in the 32nd minute when he headed in from a free-kick.
PHOTO: EPA
Bochum went a man down in the 65th minute when Mergim Mavraj was shown his second yellow card for handball in the area. Patrick Helmes converted the penalty to level the match, scoring his 17th goal of the season, second behind Hoffenheim’s Vedad Ibisevic with 18 goals. Ibisevic is not playing the second half of the season because of a knee injury.
“We had three great chances in the first half, but didn’t score.” Leverkusen coach Rudi Voeller said. “And then we went behind and had some luck with the handball and the penalty. But we had more chances in the second half and just have to bring home these kinds of victories.”
Voeller was surprised that his team could not get back on track in the league after their win over Bayern Munich in the cup in midweek.
“Usually a victory like that would be enough to motivate the team to get back on form, but we just didn’t take our chances. We have good enough players and we need to keep working,” Voeller said.
Bochum, who have won three times in their last five games, have 22 points, two above the relegation zone.
Also on Sunday, Eintracht Frankfurt drew 0-0 at Arminia Bielefeld to move onto 24 points. Bielefeld, who have 21 points, were without Artur Wichniarek, who has scored 12 of their 20 goals this season.
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