In what was a stunning second 45, Leverkusen just about squeezed over the line against a stubborn Stuttgart side.

Roger Schmidt made four changes from the crazy 4-4 draw with AS Roma in midweek, with Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Guilio Donati, Christoph Kramer and Karim Bellarabi all dropping to the bench. In their place, Sebastian Boenisch, Admir Mehmedi, Julian Brandt and Stefan Kießling all started. As for Stuttgart and Alex Zorniger, he replaced the suspended Serey Dié with Daniel Schwaab and brought in Carlos Gruezo for Alexandru Maxim.

Chances aplenty but no goals

Despite the best intentions of both sides, it was a real struggle to make headway in attack. Martin Harnik and Hakan Calhanoglu looked the best bet of either team creating a chance, though both defences were in defiant mood.

It wasn't until after the 20-minute mark that a golden opportunity popped up. Harnik burst down the left and whipped in a great ball to the centre towards Timo Werner. The diminutive forward stooped to meet the ball btu couldn't quite get the contact he needed to guide it inside the far post.

Leverkusen were largely toothless and they came closest to opening the scoring with two set-pieces. Both were met by the towering figure of Jonathan Tah, as the two efforts flew narrowly over.

There were then a series of late opportunities for both teams. Daniel Didavi, who spured a great chance earlier in the game, saw his free-kick brilliantly beaten away by Bernd Leno. At the other end, Calhanoglu shot just wide from 20 yards before Javier Hernandez lifted the ball over the bar from a matter of yards out. The Mexican was visably annoyed at himself for missing the chance.

Incredible second half sees Leverkusen claim three points

He was made to pay for that immediately after the break after an incredible goal-mouth scramble. Blocked, miss-hit and saved, but eventually the end result of the pinball was Harnik opening the scoring. He finally managed to get the ball under control and finish at the second time of asking, sending the away block into celebratory scenes.

One became two shortly after, in what was quickly becoming a day to forget for the hosts. After Lukas Rupp and Werner managed to pick off some poor Leverkusen passing, the latter fed Didavi on the edge of the area. He turned and shot in one swift movement, catching Leno off-guard and doubling their advantage. 

The visitors' joy was to be shot-lived and Karim Bellarabi quickly shot Leverkusen back into the game. He had only just came on, and with his first touch set himself to shoot before crashing a low drive into the bottom corner. He had scored the quickest goal in Bundesliga history last season, and this was definitely a contender to make it the quickest from a susbtitute.

Once more, incredibly, Stuttgart scored again to cap a ten minute period that saw four goals scored. Timo Werner was the provider this time, making an impressive run into the area before driving the ball across goal. Lukas Rupp was on hand to turn the ball in at the near post, with the entire stadium speechless with shock.

The drama was not yet over, as they two teams seemed happy to give up on the defensive front. Boesnisch joined Harnik on the unlikely goalscoring front, as he took advantage of a shot corner to flick the ball into the far corner and give the home fans hope of clawing their way back into the game.

The Leverkusen support had yet to sit down after scoring their second, so were already on their feet when Hernandez brought them level. After Bellarabi's initial cross was blocked, he was given a second chance to make his mark and did just that. His second attempt looked like it was heading for the bottom corner, but the little pea was on hand to tap in to ensure it crossed the line.

Calhanoglu and Hernandez both had late chances to win it but Stuttgart somehow survived. It looked like they would hold out for a draw but Admir Mehmedi popped up with a dramatic winning goal. A wonderful move saw Calhanoglu play in the Swiss forward and he curled into the top corner from 12 yards to seal an incredible comeback. 

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About the author
Jonathan Walsh
SoccerSight IFA commentator. VAVEL deputy editor-in-chief/VAVEL Bundesliga editor-in-chief and writer. Email: [email protected]