Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno has sung the praises of caretaker coach Sascha Lewandowski for reviving their fortunes and keeping them in the hunt for a place in the Champions League next season.
Saturday's 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund came after back-to-back wins which have given Leverkusen a one-point advantage over Wolfsburg in the race for a top four place going into the last two games of the season.
Lewandowski will return to his previous role of youth-team coach in a fortnight's time, but Leno believes he will deserve credit for salvaging their season.
“We were really dead two weeks ago and what has changed is astonishing,” Leno told Sky. “The way we played has left even me a bit surprised. It really wasn't something you could have expected.
“We've just played a sensational game against a fantastic Dortmund side, and with a bit of luck we could even have won, but we can live with this point.”
Leverkusen's last two games under Lewandowski, before Roger Schmidt takes charge, come against Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen.
Wolfsburg travel to relegation-threatened Stuttgart and host European-chasing Borussia Monchengladbach, giving Leverkusen a slight advantage on paper.
“Fourth place is a must,” Leno said. “We've got two games which we mustn't underestimate. We've under-estimated games far too often this season and that makes it hard for you then to get it right in the game.”