Compared to the 1-1 draw with Wehen Wiesbaden in the league, U19 head coach Kevin Brok made five changes to the starting XI: Simeon Rapsch returned in goal after recovering from injury with Nebe Domnic, Melis Djedovic, Dustin Buck and U17 forward Ivan Massek Bakotaken also included in the line-up. Emmanuel Chigozie Owen, scorer of two goals in the 2-0 opening win in Copenhagen, was absent due to injury.
The Werkself got off to a lively and focused start in their clash with the visitors from the Netherlands, who had won 6-2 in their opening game against Union Saint-Gilloise. However, the first goal of the game was scored by PSV, with Austyn Jones capitalising on a mistake in the Leverkusen defence to give his team the lead at 1-0 (14’). However, that advantage lasted just two minutes, as Jeremiah Mensah then smashed the ball under the crossbar from a central position to level at 1-1. And the flood of goals at UHS continued, with Domnic again unfortunate enough to deflect the ball into his own net a minute later. PSV were ahead again. After a somewhat calmer period, PSV's Gino Verhulst hit the woodwork (25') and in the 39th minute, Bayer 04 keeper Rapsch made a great save to keep out a Jones shot. Werkself captain Ferdinand Pohl had the last chance of the first half with a header (45+1’).
In front of just under 500 spectators, including former world-class Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, the hosts made a perfect start to the second half: Naba Mensah won the ball in midfield and put Buck through to hit his shot into the bottom left-hand corner to level the scores at 2-2 (46'). Jeremiah Mensah also scored two minutes later. The Werkself pressed hard - and were rewarded with the lead. Montrell Culbreath headed home a pinpoint cross from Buck to make it 3-2 (57'). Buck was the next to score (64'), after which Bayer 04 largely let the visitors have the ball and kept things tight in their own half. PSV's first big chance in this phase of the game came when substitute Shuryjano Cornecion hit the post (77'). PSV piled on the pressure again, but were unable to equalise against a brave Leverkusen side - thanks in part to a superb save from Werkself keeper Rapsch in stoppage time.
The Leverkusen U19s are back in action on Saturday, 4 October (kick-off: 11:00 CEST at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre) with a home game against VfL Wolfsburg. Bayer 04 will broadcast the second round match in the Youth DFB Pokal live on the club media channels. That will be followed by the international break for the Black and Red's eldest youth team.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Rapsch - Domnic, Pohl, Berghoff, Turay (Kurowski 85’) - N. Mensah, Djedovic (Probst 90’) - Culbreath, J. Mensah, Massek Bakotaken (Szep 85’) - Buck (Ermec 90+2’)
PSV: Kuijsten - Bresser, Jonkers, Manuhutu, Duah (Van Nistelrooy 74’) - Verkooijen, Mulders (Cornecion 74’), Khaderi - Dumbili (Beerens 57’), Jones (Martyniuk 46’), Verhulst (Holseter-Karlsen 85’)
Goalscorers: 0-1 Jones (14’), 1-1 J. Mensah (16’), 1-2 Domnic (17’ o.g.), 2-2 Buck (46’), 3-2 Culbreath (57’)
Yellow cards: N. Mensah - Jones
Referee: Helgi Mikael Jónasson (Iceland)
Attendance: 472 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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