The home side, who Leverkusen beat twice in the group stages, were two goals to the good at half-time through strikes from Yassine Benzia and Juninho.

Alonso made eight changes to his starting XI as his team, who are 10 points clear in the Bundesliga, continue to fight on all fronts in three competitions.

Staring down the barrel of a first competitive loss since May 2023, the coach shuffled his deck in the second half.

Florian Wirtz pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining via a deft chip, just 12 minutes after being brought on.

Schick, another of Alonso’s replacements, also levelled things up 12 minutes after coming on, heading in a Robert Andrich pass in the second minute of stoppage time.

“Our opponents were well prepared for us” said Wirtz. “We made a few changes at half-time which worked well — we even had the chance to win.”

The draw, just Leverkusen’s fifth from 35 matches this season alongside 30 wins, ensures Alonso’s side have the advantage for next week’s return leg in Germany.

© Agence France-Presse

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