Werkself review of #B04BKH: In the mood for Europe

Summary: Four goals, four goalscorers

Head coach Xabi Alonso made five changes to his starting eleven for the opening fixture in the UEFA Europa League 2023/24: Exequiel Palacios and Amine Adli started, Matej Kovar made his debut for the Black and Reds, and Nathan Tella and Josip Stanisic also made their first starts for Leverkusen. Bayer 04 took the lead on ten minutes with a wonderful lobbed goal from Florian Wirtz. The Werkself continued to press and soon doubled the lead: Granit Xhaka set up teammate Adli and he made it 2-0 with a volley (16'). The Black and Reds won the ball in the opposition box on 66 minutes with Victor Boniface, top scorer in the competition last season, netting the third goal. The strike for the final scoreline of 4-0 came from a volley from substitute Jonas Hofmann on 70 minutes. The match report is HERE.

Reaction: "A very good marker"

Alonso summed up the game at the post-match press conference: "We are happy. We had several impressive phases. But we lost some control in the first half. Häcken played well and they have good players. We controlled the game again better at the end." On his five changes to the starting line-up the Spaniard said: "The target before the season was to have a squad big enough for three competitions. That means we don't always have to have the same starting eleven in double fixture weeks." He also praised his group: "The lads we played today did a good job."

Goalscorer Boniface was also happy: "We've laid down a very good marker and produced a good performance at home as a team." Jonathan Tah, captain on the night, added: "Of course, we’re not happy with a couple of things but we played against a good opponent. We had respect. Therefore, we are happy to have kept a clean sheet today. That was important and gives us a positive boost."

What the papers say: Top marks for Palacios

The Rheinische Post headline reads: "Leverkusen deal brilliantly with Häcken." The Kölnische Rundschau said the Alonso team showed "great enjoyment on the pitch." The Bild-Zeitung reports "Bayer shine with four new players: This group are having fun in Europe!” The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger talks about a "football fest". Exequiel Palacios was awarded top marks by the KStA with the paper praising the performance of the Argentinian World Cup winner as follows: "Strong in challenges, keen to get forwards. 96% pass completion, significantly more than 100 touches. An incredible display."

Personnel: Two nominations for Adli

Adli came, scored and conquered: The Morocco international was back in the starting line-up after suspension and his impressive performance included an impressive finish to make it 2-0 (16'). Adli has now been nominated as UEFA Player of the Week - click HERE to vote. His strike is also up for the UEFA Goal of the Week award - vote for Adli HERE.

Also worth noting: The Werkself playmaker Wirtz has been directly involved in eleven goals (six goals and five assists) in the last twelve home games for Bayer 04 in the UEFA Europa League including ten in the last eight games (five goals, five assists).

Stats: More shots on goal

The Werkself had 22 shots at the Swedish goal and the visitors had eleven attempts. Leverkusen also dominated possession with 56% and had 55% of the challenges won. The Black and Reds had a pass completion rate of 93%, Häcken 90%.

Outlook: Second home game of the week

The run-in to the next game has already started: Bayer 04 entertain newly promoted FC Heidenheim at the BayArena on Sunday 24 September (kick-off: 15.30 CEST). The match is under the motto of "Together under the Cross: Family matchday."