Adli with goal and assist on full return as Werkself win 2-0 at Holstein Kiel

Head coach Xabi Alonso made four changes to the side that started the previous weekend’s dominant but goalless draw at home to Bayern Munich. The Werkself had three good early opportunities from corners, but Jonathan Tah and then Schick twice were unable to make them count on the boggy Holstein-Stadion surface.

Schick strikes, Adli adds second

The fourth attempt was made to count when Adli, making his first start since fracturing his leg in October, put the ball into the six-yard box from the left, where Schick flicked it in from close range. It took the hosts over 20 minutes to create their first opportunity, but Matej Kovar was alert as he raced out to clear ahead of Shuto Machino. The Werkself then continued to push, with chances falling to both Adli and Piero Hincapie. The champions had over 70 percent possession and 10 shots but struggled on the unfavourable pitch as half-time approached, until Adli dinked home a through ball from Florian Wirtz to make it 2-0.

Solid second half

The second period began with an Edmond Tapsoba effort from range and a further attempt by Schick on the hour mark, but things were far quieter than the first half. The next notable opportunity came in the closing minutes when substitute Emiliano Buendia found Wirtz, who was denied by goalkeeper Timon Weiner.

Visit to Frankfurt next

Leverkusen are on the road again next week as they go to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Saturday, 1 March (kick-off: 6.30pm CET).

Match stats:

Holstein Kiel: Weiner - Ivezic, Zec (Becker 63'), Komenda - Remberg - Rosenboom, Gigovic (Kelati 75'), Knudsen (Holtby 63'), Javorcek (Geschwill 78') - Harres, Machino (Arp 63')

Bayer 04: Kovar - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie - Frimpong (Mukiele 83'), Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo - Wirtz - Schick (Boniface 83'), Adli (Buendía 70')

Goals: 0-1 Schick (9'), 0-2 Adli (45')

Yellow cards: Knudsen, Zec, Javorcek, Komenda - Hincapie

Referee: Daniel Schlager

Attendance: 15,034 (sold out) at the Holstein-Stadion