Werkself Review: Next clean sheet and hunger for goals

Summary: Quickfire double from Hofmann - seen out comfortably

With five new faces in the starting line-up, including goalkeeper Janis Blaswich and Jonas Hofmann on the right wing, the Werkself began with pressure and purpose. The first 14 attempts didn't find the target, but it was Hofmann who finally rewarded the dominant and aggressive display with the opening goal in the 35th minute. Shortly after his tap-in from a rebound, the veteran made it 2-0 with a strike from distance. And that was how it finished in Crete as Leverkusen managed the rest of the game comfortably - only allowing a couple of chances - and claimed their third win to nil in their third outing of this season's Europa League.

• Match report
• Highlights

Reaction: 'Managed a tricky assignment'

Head coach Carles Martínez was "absolutely pleased" at full time, saying: "The most important thing here today were the three points. We had to be ready for a tricky assignment, which we managed - especially in the first half. After the break we played it cleverly, even if we could've scored more goals."

Asked about individual players, the Spaniard said: "I've stressed from day one that we need every player. They all give everything in training and deserve their minutes." Martínez reserved special praise for two-goal hero Hofmann and goalkeeper Blaswich, though: "Jonas loves football. We know what we get from him. He executed exactly what we wanted from him today and what the team needed from him. Janis is also a very important player for us, who deserves his chances. Like Mark (Flekken), he just does a very good job."

"I'm really happy - my debut in the Europa League at 35 (laughs)," commented Blaswich afterwards. "It couldn't have gone better: a win, clean sheet and a super team performance. We never let the opponents into the game. It was fully deserved." Meanwhile, Hofmann highlighted: "Of course, as an attacking player it's always good for you to be involved in goals and help the team that way. The fans are happy, we're happy - a successful trip! We gladly take this six-game winning run into the next one at Hoffenheim."

What the papers say: 'A wonderful football fairytale'

It was simply Hofmann's night. The 34-year-old netted his first two goals of the season and his 10th and 11th overall in the Europa League for Bayer 04. His last success in front of goal in the competition came on 11 April 2024 in the 2-0 victory at home to West Ham United.

Goalkeeper Blaswich made his UEL debut at the Pankritio Stadium; it was his second outing of the season after the cup tie at Wiesbaden. Striker Patrik Schick also enjoyed a 'first' of sorts on the Greek island as the Czech led the Werkself out as captain for the first time in a competitive match this season. Malik Tillman's assist for the second goal was his first in this Europa League campaign.

Stats: Shooting festival and a favourite quarter

There were hardly any statistics in which the visitors didn't have the upper hand on Thursday night. They fired off an impressive 33 shots on goal, compared to just six for the hosts. On top of that, they had 63 percent possession and a superior pass completion rate (92% - OFI 83%). The Black-and-Reds also appear to have found their 'favourite quarter of an hour' in the Europa League: the one before half-time. Hofmann's double were the team's third and fourth goals in this period - no other side in this season's UEL have scored as many times between the 30th and 45th minute.

Coming up: Hat-trick of home games after trip to Sinsheim

The Werkself return to Bundesliga action this Sunday, 25 October (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to TSG Hoffenheim. That's followed by three consecutive home fixtures in three different competitions against 1. FC Nürnberg in the DFB Pokal, VfB Stuttgart in the league and Olympique Marseille in the Europa League. Full info on dates and tickets can be found HERE.