1-1 against PSV - Werkself miss out on victory in first UCL home game

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand made three changes to his team compared to the 2-1 league win at FC St. Pauli. Ezequiel Fernández started in midfield in place of Robert Andrich with Alejandro Grimaldo taking the captain's armband. Up front, Ernest Poku and Christian Kofane came in for Eliesse Ben Seghir and the injured Patrik Schick. The game opened with an - albeit brief - setback for the Werkself: Dennis Man crossed from the right to the far post where Ivan Perisic headed the ball into the net (5'). However, the goal was quickly ruled out due to an offside decision. For their part, the Werkself showed their attacking intent for the first time with a powerful shot against the bar from a tight angle by Grimaldo (11’). This was followed by a low shot after a pacy run from Poku (14’) and a long-range effort from Aleix Garcia (15’).

Werkself press for opener

The Werkself continued to play on the front foot going forwards. Edmond Tapsoba for example, narrowly missed a header at the far post from a Garcia cross (19'). Five minutes later, PSV keeper Matej Kovar saved a shot from close range from Malik Tillman after a pinpoint pass from Grimaldo (24'). Towards the end of the first half Loïc Badé had another chance from a Garcia corner, but his header went wide of the target (38'). A blow four minutes later: UCL debutant Axel Tape had to be substituted due to injury and was replaced by Arthur (42'). The first half ended goalless shortly after that.

Both teams started the second half unchanged, which began with a sharp shot from a tight angle by Poku (48'). After that, the Werkself continued to dominate and play well, but there were no more high-calibre attacks for the time being. Until the 65th minute!

Kofane scores - PSV reply

A Leverkusen attack had already been broken down by the visitors, but a risky back pass suddenly put PSV's Armando Obispo under pressure. Kofane capitalised on this, pinched the ball and calmly slotted home to make it 1-0 (65'). It was the Cameroonian's first UCL goal, making him Bayer 04's youngest Champions League goalscorer. The lead did not last long, however, as Ismael Saibari equalised on 72 minutes to make it 1-1. Fresh legs in attack came on in the shape of Ibrahim Maza and Claudio Echeverri replacing Tillman and Kofane. Grimaldo then had another big chance shortly before the end of the game, but the Spaniard was denied by Kovar (90+3’). The game ended all square at 1-1 for the second draw for the Black and Reds in this Champions League campaign.

looking forward: Union Berlin next up at the bayarena

The Werkself continue their Bundesliga campaign with a home match against Union Berlin. The matchday 6 fixture on Saturday, 4 October, kicks off at 15:30 CEST at the BayArena. Tickets are available HERE. The match will be followed by the second international break of the season.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Flekken - Quansah, Badé, Tapsoba - Tape (Arthur 42’), Garcia, Fernández, Grimaldo - Tillman (Maza 80’), Kofane (Echeverri 80’), Poku (Ben Seghir 73’)

PSV: Kovar - Mauro Júnior, Obispo (Flamingo 66’), Gasiorowski, Salah-Eddine - Saibari, Schouten, Veerman - Man (Bajraktarevic 73’), Til, Perisic (Driouech 73’)

Goalscorers: 1-0 Kofane (65'), 1-1 Saibari (72')

Yellow cards: Til, Saibari

Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)

Attendance: 30,210 (sold out) at the BayArena