Werkself Review #B04TSG: 'Stay calm and keep working'

Summary: Quansah's debut goal not enough

Jarell Quansah's header capped a good opening spell for the Werkself with his first competitive goal in his first Bundesliga match for Bayer 04. In a contest that primarily took place in midfield with a high number of challenges, Hoffenheim equalised in minute 25 through Fisnik Asllani. Not much happened for a long time after that, meaning the teams went in tied 1-1 at the break. TSG then took the lead with their first attack after the restart, Tim Lemperle's shot finding the Leverkusen net (52'). With Bundesliga debutant Ernest Poku on for the second half, the Werkself tried but couldn't find a way past a compact Hoffenheim defence. Long-range efforts from Aleix Garcia and Alejandro Grimaldo were unsuccessful, while Nathan Tella hit the side netting. Late substitutes Claudio Echeverri and Christian Kofane, also making their debuts in the German top flight, couldn't prevent the 2-1 loss at home either. Read the full match report HERE.

Reaction: 'Use every day'

While head coach Erik ten Hag was disappointed after the defeat in his first Bundesliga game in charge, he also looked forward with optimism: "We have a lot of work to do, we know that. We have to stay calm, keep working and use every day." The Dutchman was particularly positive in his assessment of his side's defensive performance.

"We're obviously not where we want to be but as long as we keep working hard, we'll get there," said a similarly optimistic Quansah, who promised ahead of the upcoming trip to SV Werder Bremen next Saturday: "Of course we'll give our all to rectify the mistakes from today, and bring character and energy onto the pitch."

"I don't remember Hoffenheim having many chances, but neither did we," summarised captain Robert Andrich, who stated the aim of "getting back to moving the opponents around without losing the ball". He stressed: "We want the three points in Bremen!"

What the papers say: ‘Unsuccessful Bundesliga debut’

"Hoffenheim spoil Erik ten Hag's league debut" was the headline of the Rheinische Post, while kicker spoke of "sluggish Rhinelanders". Radio Leverkusen saw an "unsuccessful Bundesliga debut" for ten Hag, with the Kölnische Rundschau reaching a similar verdict: "There's a lot of work ahead for Erik ten Hag and his team." In this context, Bild and the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger also referenced the plea from Mark Flekken for patience in light of the high turnover in personnel at Bayer 04. 

Personnel: Four debuts and a maiden goal

In Quansah, Poku, Kofane and Echeverri, no fewer than four players made their Bundesliga debuts, with the latter also playing his first match at all for the Werkself. Ibrahim Maza and Mark Flekken, meanwhile, started for Bayer 04 for the first time in the German top flight.

With his opening goal, Quansah became only the third Englishman to score on his Bundesliga debut, following Reiss Nelson (Hoffenheim) and Harry Kane (Bayern Munich). Grimaldo's assist for Quansah was the Spaniard's 21st in the Bundesliga since he joined ahead of the 2023/24 season - only Florian Wirtz has provided more assists (23) for Leverkusen in this period.

Stats: Werkself strong in tackle and accurate in passing

The statistics paint a fairly positive picture of the Werkself's display. The hosts had more possession (60%) as well as a higher tackle success rate (58%), but they couldn't convert that superiority in the final third. Ten Hag's men fired just eight attempts at the TSG goal - but only allowed 10  from the Kraichgau outfit. Bayer 04's pass completion of 87% was also higher than Hoffenheim, who found a team-mate with 81% of their passes.

Looking ahead: Trip to Bremen before international break

The Werkself travel to the Weserstadion in Bremen this Saturday, 30 August. Kick-off against Werder is at 15:30 CEST. After that the Bundesliga pauses for two weeks before Bayer 04 return to action at home Eintracht Frankfurt on 12 September (kick-off 20:30 CEST).