Head coach Xabi Alonso made two changes to the team that started Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich, with Aleix Garcia coming in for Robert Andrich alongside Granit Xhaka, and Amine Adli getting the nod ahead of Martin Terrier. Leverkusen started the game well and had the first chance of the evening inside two-and-a-half minutes when Boniface was found after lovely play between Adli and Florian Wirtz, but the Nigerian was denied by Mike Maignan. Piero Hincapie then had a headed effort only moments later before helping ensure a solid defensive performance that cut out any potential Milan counter-attacks quickly.
The Werkself began to dominate proceedings and patiently look for gaps in the Italian side’s defence, moving the ball across the width of the pitch. The first opening came in the 21st minute when Garcia picked out Jeremie Frimpong with a long diagonal. The Dutchman then squared into the middle for Boniface to put away what looked to be the opening goal, only for it to be ruled out on review for offside against Frimpong. Leverkusen continued unperturbed and created the next chances as well, including a couple that Frimpong was unable to convert. At the other end, Christian Pulisic had the first opportunity of the evening for Milan six minutes before the break, but failed to trouble Lukas Hradecky.
The second half started with a great chance for Alonso’s men as Wirtz got past Fikayo Tomori and forced an excellent save out of Maignan. It wasn’t long, though, until the German double winners got their rewards. Garcia’s lovely through ball to Alejandro Grimaldo in the box was flicked into the path of Frimpong. His shot was only parried by Maignan, presenting Boniface with the simple job of tapping in. Shortly after, Hradecky was called into action at the other end, sticking out a strong arm to deny Tijjani Reijnders.
Leverkusen sat back a bit after the goal, which meant the Rossoneri were able to come forward more, but Hradecky was on call to repel efforts from Youssouf Fofana and substitute Alvario Morata. Alonso also made changes midway through the half, restoring Andrich and Terrier to the team in place of Garcia and Boniface. Those substitutions were followed by another good chance for Frimpong, which again went begging. A long-range effort from Theo Hernandez came back off the crossbar, with Morata’s header on the follow-up also going only narrowly wide. Despite the visitors’ late efforts, the Werkself saw out their narrow lead through to claim victory in their first Champions League home game of the season.
Leverkusen are back in action on Saturday as they visit promoted Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga for Matchday 6 at 3.30pm CEST. There’s then an international break.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Hradecky - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie - Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia (Andrich 75'), Grimaldo (Belocian 88') - Wirtz (Tella 88'), Adli (Palacios 82') - Boniface (Terrier 75')
AC Milan: Maignan - Emerson, Tomori, Gabbia, Hernandez - Fofana, Reijnders, Loftus-Cheek - Pulisic (Chukwueze 69'), Leao - Abraham (Morata 62')
Goal: 1-0 Boniface (51')
Yellow cards: Garcia, Frimpong - Morata, Chukwueze
Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
Attendance: 30,210 at the BayArena (sold out)
The second friendly and the first goal for the Bayer 04 Women: The Werkself just missed out on their first win in the preseason away to top-flight Dutch side PEC Zwolle. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold drew 1-1 on Friday afternoon in Wezep. As with the friendly against TSG Hoffenheim (0-2) a number of first-team players were absent. The coach once again shared out time on the pitch for the 20-player squad. The goal of the match was scored by summer signing Vanessa Fudalla (67').
Show moreContinuity under the Cross: After the successful season in 2024/25 with reaching the final of the VBL Club Championship, the two Leverkusen e-sports players Marc and Sean Landwehr have extended their contracts at Bayer 04 by an additional two years. Marc is thereby in his sixth year and Sean in his third year with the Werkself. Together with e-talent Marcus Hüttemann, who has also extended his stay at Bayer 04 Bayer year, completes the current squad for the 2025/26 season.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed centre forward Christian Kofane. The 18-year-old Cameroonian joins Leverkusen from Spanish second tier club Albacete on a contract to 30 June 2029.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen will wear the new away kit for the 2025/26 season at the start of the training camp in Brazil. In conscious contrast to the international aspect of this year's training camp in Rio de Janeiro, kit supplier New Balance has designed a jersey for the Werkself players and all other Bayer 04 teams with distinct links to home.
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