2–2 in Copenhagen – Werkself with a frantic final phase in UCL opener

A nerve-wracking start to Europe's premier club competition! On Matchday 1 of the group stage of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, the Werkself drew 2-2 (0-1) with Danish record champions FC Copenhagen. After an early goal from Jordan Larsson (9'), the Werkself equalised late on with another direct free kick from Alejandro Grimaldo (82'). The hosts responded just four minutes later with a goal that put them 2-1 up. But Leverkusen refused to give up and, within five minutes, Pantelis Hatzidiakos was forced into scoring an own goal (90+1) to make it 2-2, which is how the game ended.

Compared to the 3-1 home win against Eintracht Frankfurt, head coach Kasper Hjulmand made two changes to his starting XI for the start of the Champions League campaign: Ezequiel Fernández and Eliesse Ben Seghir, making his first start, replaced the injured Exequiel Palacios and Nathan Tella.

Behind early on – Werkself fight back

A confident home side got off to the better start. After a long pass to Elias Achouri on the left, he crossed into the middle to Jordan Larsson, who slotted home to put the Black and Reds behind (9'). The Werkself responded with plenty of possession, but without creating much danger in front of goal. Only a free kick from Alejandro Grimaldo (21') and a shot from Ben Seghir (30') got anywhere near the Copenhagen goal. Meanwhile, a deflected shot from Mohamed Elyounoussi and a chance for former Dortmund player Youssoufa Moukoko (44'), who found himself one-on-one with Mark Flekken, created some excitement at the other end. However, Elyounoussi's attempt rattled off the crossbar, and Moukoko's shot was stopped courtesy of UCL debutant Flekken's razor-sharp reflexes. Bayer 04 went into the break trailing 1-0.

The second half began with a chance for striker Larsson (47'), shortly after which Hjulmand made his first substitutions, bringing on Ibrahim Maza and Aleix Garcia for Malik Tillman and Fernández. Shortly after coming on, Garcia launched a dangerous attack, passing to his Spanish compatriot Lucas Vázquez, who played the ball out to Ben Seghir on the left. The Moroccan tried his luck with a curling shot that grazed the post (60'). Another good chance followed shortly afterwards: Jarell Quansah dribbled into the FCK penalty area and passed to Patrik Schick, but the Czech was unfortunately unable to convert (65'). This was followed by a double substitution, with Claudio Echeverri and Ernest Poku coming on for Loïc Badé and Ben Seghir (67').

dream free kick FROM Grimaldo – two goals follow

With over 60 per cent possession, the Werkself continued to try to equalise. Echeverri, for example, narrowly missed out to Copenhagen keeper Dominik Kotarski (74'). But then they were awarded a free kick – time for Grimaldo to step up. And just like in the Frankfurt game, the Spaniard took aim and coolly slotted the ball into the top right corner – 1-1 (82)! However, the home side responded promptly: four minutes after the equaliser, substitute Robert headed home to make it 2-1 for FCK (86). But that wasn't the end of the game or this frantic final phase. A shot from Echeverri was deflected by Copenhagen's Pantelis Hatzidiakos and ended up in the home side's goal – 2-2 (90+1)! The match ended shortly afterwards.

Looking ahead: VISIT FROM The Foals on Sunday

The Werkself continue their Bundesliga campaign with a home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Matchday 4 clash kicks off in just three days' time, on Sunday, 21 September, at 17.30 CEST at the BayArena.

The stats:

FC Copenhagen: Kotarski - Huescas, Gabriel Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Lopez - Larsson (79' Zague), Delaney (55' Madsen), Lerager, Achouri (79' Robert) - Elyounoussi, Moukoko (69' Claesson)

Bayer 04: Flekken - Quansah, Badé (67' Echeverri), Tapsoba - Vázquez, Andrich (89' Kofane), Fernández (51' Garcia), Grimaldo - Ben Seghir (67' Poku), Tillman (51' Maza) - Schick

Goals: 1-0 Larsson (9'), 1-1 Grimaldo (82'), 1-2 Robert (86'), 2-2 Hatzidiakos (O.G./90'+1)

Yellow cards: Lopez, Hatzidiakos, Delaney - Vázquez, Tapsoba

Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (AZE)

Spectators: 34,504 at Parken stadium

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