Bayer 04 kick off Europa League campaign with 2-0 win against Celje

For the club’s first Europa League outing, head coach Carles Martínez made six changes to the starting line-up compared with the 2-2 draw at FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga. Lucas Vázquez, Loïc Badé, Robert Andrich, Martin Terrier, Malik Tillman and Patrik Schick started in place of Jarell Quansah, Miguel Gutiérrez, Ezequiel Fernández, Ibrahim Maza, Afonso Moreira and Christian Kofane. Medina started at left-back, Terrier returned to the Black and Red starting line-up for the first time since 17 March.

impressive Garcia forces opener

The Werkself, playing in the new European kit, spent a few minutes sizing up the visitors before taking control of the game and edging ever closer to a goal: After Schick’s effort on nine minutes just missed the target, a long-range shot from Terrier struck the post three minutes later (12’). And when the cross from Aleix Garcia was deflected by Celje’s playmaker Svit Seslar, the ball finally found the back of the Slovenian net (15’).

The lively Garcia continued to dictate the Werkself play and he could have made it 2–0 on several occasions (20’, 26’, 33’). However, the visitors’ goalkeeper, Zan-Luk Leban, denied him, just as he did to the unmarked Terrier shortly before half-time (40’). And because, at the other end, the otherwise untroubled Mark Flekken also made two lightning-quick saves (31’, 42’), the teams went into the break with the score at 1–0.

Medina seals the deal

After the restart, the Black and Reds continued to dominate proceedings at home, but only posed a real threat once in the first quarter of an hour, courtesy of the incisive Medina (51'). The introduction of Kofane and Moreira (60’) breathed new life into Leverkusen’s attacking efforts. On 74 minutes, the Portuguese player’s shot struck the Slovenian crossbar, but shortly after that he and his team-mates were able to celebrate: The Argentine Medina converted the resulting corner from Aleix Garcia with a superb volley to make it 2–0 (74'). Shortly before the final whistle, Eliesse Ben Seghir also had reason to celebrate shortly before the final whistle, as he made his debut in the new season following a spell on the sidelines and he helped see out the 2–0 home victory.

next up: international break after RB Leipzig game

The action continues at the BayArena. On Sunday, 20 September (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Black and Reds host RB Leipzig in Leverkusen. That will be followed by a three-week international break, before the Werkself travel to face Mainz 05 on Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST).

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Flekken – Vázquez (Quansah 60’), Badé, Tapsoba, Medina – Andrich, Garcia – Terrier (Moreira 60’), Tillman (Fernández 60’), Diaby (Ben Seghir 80’) - Schick (Kofane 71’)

Celje: Leban – Sirvys, Bejger, Tutyskinas – Avdyli (Kramer 60’), Zabukovnik, Seslar, Vesner Ticic (Daniel 80’), Verbic (Tusha 68’) - Dukuly (Ivansek 60’), Kucys

Goals: 1–0 Seslar (15’o.g.), 2–0 Medina (74’)

Referee: Jasper Vergoote (Belgium)

Attendance: 27,000 at the BayArena