The home side got off to a better start, taking the lead through Jordan Larsson on nine minutes. The Werkself responded with plenty of possession and the first efforts on goal. Youssoufa Moukoko also had a good chance for FC Copenhagen towards the end of the first half, but a strong reflex save by Mark Flekken kept the shot out (44'). Leverkusen went into half-time 1-0 down. And the home side again made the better start to the second 45. However, with fresh legs on the pitch, a tactical switch and as the game progressed, the Werkself turned up the heat. Eventually it was Alejandro Grimaldo who, in his typical style, put a free kick straight into the net (82'). But the game was far from over! Four minutes after the equaliser, Copenhagen's Robert replied with a header to make it 2-1 to the hosts (86'). The Werkself were behind again. But not for long this time: A shot from Claudio Echeverri was deflected into his own net by Pantelis Hatzidiakos - 2-2 (90+1’). That was the final scoreline.
Head coach Kasper Hjulmand said at the post-match press conference: "We're basically happy with the point and are now looking ahead as we carry straight on. We are still in a learning process with this group of many new players. We showed great mentality today after going behind twice."
For his part, Ibrahim Maza said: "We didn't challenge well at the start, but then pulled everything out in the end. We have to be happy about that now and we want to take this energy forward with us." Jarell Quansah added: "First of all, I'd like to say the fans were outstanding. We were behind twice and they cheered us on for the whole 90 minutes. That's exactly what we need - especially away from home. We showed we can come back. The cohesion and team harmony are getting better and better."
The kicker recognised the Werkself had "some difficulties" at the start against "strong Danes". "As the game progressed, Leverkusen gradually came into the game a little better. End-to-end action developed in a wild second half," the newspaper added. Bild reported an "entertaining game", but noted: "The Werkself can count themselves lucky not to have to return home without a point. Copenhagen created several great chances through many determined transition moments."
The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reported: "Kasper Hjulmand's return to his Danish home at Parken Stadium was, as expected, emotional - especially in the final phase of the match as the new Bayer 04 coach's emotions went in all directions."
Several Bayer 04 players made their debuts against FC Copenhagen: While Mark Flekken, Ezequiel Fernández, Ibrahim Maza, Claudio Echeverri, Ernest Poku and Christian Kofane were playing in the UCL for the first time, Eliesse Ben Seghir made his first start since his move to Bayer 04. Flekken on his debut: "Playing in the Champions League is something really nice. Of course, my debut would have been taken to another level if we’d have won the game." Maza declared: "There was a very good atmosphere and my debut was a dream come true."
Alejandro Grimaldo, for his part, also had a special moment to look back on with his free-kick goal: His past six goals for Leverkusen have all come from set pieces - five of them from direct free-kicks and one from a penalty. In total, the Spaniard has now scored seven direct free-kick goals since his Bayer 04 debut in August 2023 - no other player in the five major leagues has scored more than five across all competitions (Julián Alvarez/Atlético Madrid).
The Werkself clearly had the upper hand in terms of possession: With a 63.6 per cent share of the game, the Black and Reds dominated that stat, as they did in the number of passes (645 to 362). Leverkusen also had the better passing completion rate (89.1 to 79.3 per cent) and also took more shots on goal (15 to 12). The number of duels won was evenly balanced (50 per cent).
The Werkself continue their Bundesliga campaign with a home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach. The game at the BayArena on matchday 4 kicks off at 17:30 CEST on Sunday, 21 September.
The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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