Leverkusen's Winning Streak Ends In Hoffenheim Nightmare

Bayer Leverkusen's impressive six-match winning streak came to a painful end on Sunday as Carles Martínez's side suffered a 3-0 defeat against TSG Hoffenheim.

After scoring at least twice in each of Martínez's first ten competitive matches, the Werkself failed to find the net for the first time under their Spanish coach.

Andrej Kramarić opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 79th minute before Alexander Prass and Max Moerstedt completed a devastating late collapse for Die Werkself.

The defeat represents Martínez's first major setback after an impressive start to life at the BayArena.

Leverkusen Struggle To Break Down Hoffenheim

Despite arriving in Sinsheim full of confidence, Leverkusen struggled to impose their attacking game.

Martínez restored several key players following Thursday's Europa League victory over OFI Crete, including Mark Flekken, Edmond Tapsoba, Ibrahim Maza and Moussa Diaby.

However, Hoffenheim created the better opportunities during the opening half.

Former Leverkusen attacker Adam Hložek struck the post, while Flekken was called upon to deny Fisnik Asllani.

Nathan Tella threatened at the other end, but Die Schwarzroten lacked the attacking sharpness that had defined their previous performances.

The visitors enjoyed more possession but struggled to turn their control of the ball into meaningful chances.

Kramarić Changes Everything In The Final Minutes

The decisive moment arrived in the 79th minute.

Edmond Tapsoba caught Asllani inside the penalty area, and following a VAR review, referee Daniel Siebert awarded Hoffenheim a penalty.

Kramarić stepped forward and calmly converted, scoring Hoffenheim's 1,000th Bundesliga goal.

Leverkusen attempted to respond, but their attacking efforts left spaces for the hosts to exploit.

In the 89th minute, Kramarić created another opportunity, setting up Prass to double Hoffenheim's advantage with a powerful finish.

The Austrian was subsequently sent off after receiving a second yellow card for removing his shirt during the celebration.

Despite Hoffenheim being reduced to ten men, Bayer conceded again in stoppage time.

Kramarić struck the crossbar, and Moerstedt reacted quickest to convert the rebound, completing the 3-0 victory.

Martínez Faces His First Major Test

The result brought several impressive Leverkusen runs to an abrupt halt.

The Werkself had won six consecutive competitive matches, while Martínez had made German football history by becoming the first coach since the Bundesliga's foundation to see his team score at least twice in each of his opening ten matches.

That remarkable scoring sequence ended in Sinsheim.

Patrik Schick, who had scored in each of Bayer's opening six Bundesliga fixtures, also failed to find the net for the first time this league season.

Perhaps the most concerning aspect was the lack of clear chances.

Die Werkself managed just one shot on target from nine attempts, despite enjoying approximately 58% possession.

The closing stages also brought concern for Loïc Badé, who required medical attention following a heavy collision with Moerstedt.

Leverkusen must now regroup quickly, with a DFB-Pokal encounter against Nürnberg providing an immediate opportunity to respond.

One defeat does not erase Martínez's impressive start, but the manner of Sunday's collapse shows that Leverkusen still has important weaknesses to address.

After weeks of attacking brilliance and growing confidence, the Werkself have received a reminder that maintaining their momentum will require consistency at both ends of the pitch.