Half-Time Report: Stefan Kiesling pulls Bayer Leverkusen level against Hoffenheim

Stefan Kiessling struck just before the half-time interval to ensure that Bayer Leverkusen are level at 1-1 with Hoffenheim.

Leverkusen looked to take control in the opening exchanges, but the home fans were left stunned in the fifth minute when Eugen Polanski released Zuber, who timed his run perfectly before beating Bernd Leno with a low finish.

The hosts dominated possession as Hoffenheim settled for threatening on the break, and Kiessling was close to equalising when Niklas Sule blocked an effort which looked destined for the back of the net.

After taking such an early lead, much of the pressure was on Markus Gisdol's defence and they survived a couple of nervy moments when Kyriakos Papadopoulos headed straight at Oliver Baumann shortly before Kiessling sent a header wide of the target.

Leverkusen should have been level when the ball reached Hakan Calhanoglu in space inside the six-yard box, but Baumann came to the rescue for the visitors to protect their lead.

However, the goalkeeper was unable to collect a Wendell effort cleanly just before the break, which allowed Kiessling to tap in the equaliser from close range.