In their return to the Champions League after a year away, Bayer Leverkusen compressively beat Feyenoord 4-0 in their opening game.
Clincal. That is the best way to describe Leverkusen in the first half in Rotterdam. The defending Bundesliga champions opened the scoring early on when Robert Andrich latched onto a mistake from Feyenoord midfielder Ramiz Zerrouki before playing through Florian Wirtz who converted from long range. Feyenoord did cause problems for Leverkusen and even had a goal from Zerrouki disallowed.
However, Leverkusen would double their lead in the 30th minute when Victor Boniface dummies a pass to Jeremie Frimpong and the Dutch international squares it to Alejandro Grimaldo. Frimpong would turn provider once again for Wirtz’s second of the game. Just before half-time, Leverkusen would then get a fourth when Edmond Tapsoba’s header was diverted into the net by Timon Wellenreuther.
The second half was a lot quieter from Leverkusen than in the first. They allowed Feyenoord to control the game and the hosts struggled to break Die Werkself down and did not challenge Lukas Hradecky away from another disallowed goal this time from Ayase Ueda.
Overall, the game was a well-rounded team performance from Leverkusen and they seem to have worked off the rust that they showed in the opening games of the season against VfB Stuttgart, Borussia Mönchengladbach and RB Leipzig. They got the job done in the first half which allowed them to lower the tempo in the second and preserve some energy ahead of their game against Wolfsburg on Sunday.
Bayer Leverkusen XI:
Lukas Hradecky (6), Edmond Tapsoba (6), Jonathan Tah (6), Piero Hincapié (6), Jeremie Frimpong (7), Robert Andrich (6), Granit Xhaka (6), Alejandro Grimaldo (7), Martin Terrier (5), Florian Wirtz (7), Victor Boniface (6)
Others: Patrik Schick (5), Amine Adli (5), Aleix Garcia (5), Jeanuël Belocian (-), Exequiel Palacios (-)
GGFN Man of the Match: Florian Wirtz (7)
Surprisingly, this is Florian Wirtz’s debut in the Champions League and a double on the night was a good way to start his Champions League career. The 21-year-old created the most chances for Leverkusen and was central to their attack and their efficiency in the first half.
This award could have easily gone to Alejandro Grimaldo. The Spaniard was at his free-flowing best at De Kuip and caused issues for Feyenoord not only due to his presence but also his set pieces, forcing an own goal. Jeremie Frimpong also deserves some praise for his contributions from the right-hand side in his game as well.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
