Leon Bailey strike helps Bayer Leverkusen to draw with Schalke

Updated: May 17, 2023, 12:40 am

Bayer Leverkusen players celebrate after a Leon Bailey goal drew them level with Schalke.
Bayer Leverkusen players celebrate after a Leon Bailey goal drew them level with Schalke.
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Substitute Leon Bailey denied Schalke all three points at the Veltins-Arena as Bayer Leverkusen forced a 1-1 Bundesliga draw on Friday.

Bailey's second-half effort -- a response to Leon Goretzka's stunning free-kick opener -- snapped Bayer's run of three straight away defeats but Schalke perhaps deserved to win the encounter.

After a slow start, Schalke took the initiative with left-back Bastian Oczipka fizzing a shot just wide.

Encouraged, the Royal Blues poured forward and in the 34th minute won a free kick, which Goretzka dispatched into the top corner with perfect aim.

A double substitution at the break paid dividends for Bayer on the hour mark as Jamaican winger Bailey found the back of the net with a deflected effort.

Lucas Alario -- a summer signing from River Plate -- then put the ball over the line to apparently give Bayer the lead, but much to Schalke's relief he was offside.