Werkself review #B04PSV: ‘Fought hard and invested a lot’

Summary: Quick equaliser after deserved lead 

After a brief setback in the form of an offside goal by Ivan Perisic for PSV right at the start of the game, the Werkself were on the front foot from the off. The Black and Reds created good chances, including Alejandro Grimaldo who hit the crossbar with a powerful shot (11') and Ernest Poku who hit a low shot after an impressive dribble (14’). Further efforts on goal came from Edmond Tapsoba with a header (19’), Malik Tillman from close range (24’) and Loïc Badé from a corner (38’). Nevertheless, the teams went into the break goalless. The deserved lead came just after the hour mark when Christian Kofane coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net (65'). The lead did not last long with PSV's Ismael Saibari levelling at 1-1 seven minutes later. That was the final scoreline. Click here for the match report.

Reaction: "We lacked the last punch"

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand said after the final whistle: "We played a pretty good match up to the last ten minutes. Unfortunately we lacked the last punch to take the second goal. I think the boys were fighting a lot. We were close to scoring a second goal. I'm not comparing the opponents, but of course I feel right now we’re lacking two points from these games."

Grimaldo explained: "I’m really disappointed today as the team played very well. We created a lot of chances and scored the first goal. Again a draw but I think we deserved more. Today was a tough, tough draw.” Aleix Garcia also commented: "I don’t know why but we lost control of the game." Christian Kofane added: "We gave our all today to win the game."

What the papers say: Despite draw: "Lively Werkself enjoy playing"

The kicker summed up: "Eindhoven started very purposefully. [...]. The home side then took control of the game and played some attractive passing football." The kicker sees the draw as a result "that doesn't really help either club". The Rheinische Post also agreed, giving the opening minutes to PSV Eindhoven and then seeing how a "lively" Werkself "increasingly took control of the game" and "deservedly" took the lead. The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger took a similar view: "Leverkusen were the better team in the first half." And the Bild Zeitung reported: "The hosts had much more of the game, especially in the first half."

Personnel: UCL debuts and historic first goal

Axel Tape had his first taste of Champions League football against PSV with a slot in the starting eleven. At 18 years and 52 days, he is the second-youngest Leverkusen player to start a UCL match. Only Kai Havertz was younger in February 2017 against Atlético Madrid at 17 years and 255 days.

Christian Kofane and Ernest Poku also started against PSV Eindhoven. Both had previously came on as substitutes for a few minutes in the match at FC Copenhagen. Kofane marked his home start debut with his first goal in the Champions League, making him the youngest Leverkusen UCL goalscorer of all time at the age of 19 years and 67 days. He commented: "I feel happy. I’m very happy to help the team. It was my first start and a goal. Amazing. Unbelievable! Team-mate Grimaldo on Kofane's performance: "He played a great game, scored his goal with ice-cold precision and helped us a lot."

Poku, for his part, can look back on three shots on goal - Leverkusen's best tally together with Tillman. Coach Hjulmand emphasised after the final whistle: "It was nice to see the young players. I'm very optimistic and believe in them. They have great potential and already have a lot of quality."

Garcia reached another milestone as the Spaniard made his 50th appearance for Bayer 04 in the match against PSV. After the final whistle, he said: "I feel good here. I'm looking forward to more games - and, of course, victories I hope!"

Stats: Balanced numbers

With the 1-1 draw, the Werkself remain unbeaten in their third match against PSV and eighth overall against Dutch teams. Bayer 04 previously played the team from Eindhoven twice, winning 5-4 at home in the first leg and drawing 0-0 away in the second leg in the 1994/95 UEFA Cup.

And here are the numbers from yesterday's clash: The Werkself recorded 14 shots on goal, PSV six. The Black and Reds also had more corners (7 to 4). The visitors were ahead in terms of possession (53.7 to 46.3 per cent) and duels won (53.9 to 46.1 per cent).

Looking forward: Union Berlin next up at the BayArena

The Werkself return to Bundesliga action 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 is followed by the second international break of the season.