The 25,001 spectators at the BayArena witnessed a controlled performance by the Werkself who were primarily camped in the opposition half and they moved the ball around from left to right and back again. The first dangerous and successful situation was started by Piero Hincapie on ten minutes with a shot that was blocked by the Ferencváros defence with the ball then coming to Florian Wirtz who passed to his teammate Kerem Demirbay. The midfielder hit an impressive shot into the net for the opening goal. The best chance for the visitors fell to Kristoffer Zachariassen on 27 minutes but the Norwegian only hit the bar. The hosts pressed for the second goal although the match became disjointed with numerous challenges as the game went on. The second goal did come from a set-piece: With four minutes of normal time to play, Edmond Tapsoba doubled the lead at 2-0 with a header from a rebound off the woodwork from a free kick by Adam Hlozek.The match report.
Speaking to Werkself TV after the game, goalscorer Kerem Demirbay was happy: "It feels good. It was important to win as a team today. The team comes first and I'm happy I was able to help with the goal. I've done my job." And Edmond Tapsoba, who scored to make it 2-0, was relieved: "It's definitely something special as my parents are here today. And then to score a goal – that makes me very happy," said the 24-year-old before adding: "We know it's only the first game and we have to get a result there. We need the same focus as today."
Defender Jonathan Tah summed up the game as follows: "We played with maturity and recognised the phase in the second half where it could go either way and we produced the goods. We did well moving the ball and are happy with the win."
Midfielder Florian Wirtz has been involved in 1.5 goals per game for the Werkself in the Europa League since November 2021 (three goals and six assists in six games). All the other players have just one goal involvement per Europa League match over that period with at least five games played.
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The team under head coach Xabi Alonso had one more attempt on goal than Ferencváros with a total of nine shots. The Black and Reds had 66% possession. The same goes for challenges: Leverkusen won 52% of all challenges. The pass completion rate for the hosts was 90% with Ferencváros clocking up 81%.
The Rheinische Post described the 2-0 home win as follows: "Bayer needed nine shots for two goals: The situation is good after the Europa League first leg against Ferencváros." A similar view is taken by the Express: "Bayer tear down the door to the quarter-finals" and ran.de wrote: “Convincing win! Bayer with one foot in the quarter-finals. Lacklustre but effective: Bayer Leverkusen can dream of the quarter-finals in the Europa League after a really convincing win."
The headline in the BILD: “Demirbay & Tapsoba let Bayer dream: The quarter-finals of the Europa League are in touching distance.” The tabloid described Tapsoba's performance as follows: "Almost faultless in defence and then with the so important goal at 2-0 – a header in the style of a top goalscorer." The performance of Demirbay was seen as follows: Strong performance playing in a twin holding midfield role. Energetic for the opening goal, a great shot with his 'weaker' right foot. Always in charge both defensively and in attack."
Lukas Hradecky and Co. are back in action on Sunday 12 March (kick-off: 17.30 CET) with an away game at Werder Bremen on Bundesliga matchday 24. That is followed by two training sessions in Leverkusen on Tuesday and Wednesday before Bayer 04 head off for the Round of 16 second leg in the Europa League at Ferencváros. The kick-off at the Puskás Aréna is at 21.00 CET.
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Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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