Head coach Sergi Runge made two changes to his starting XI compared to the 3-1 home win against AC Milan on the previous matchday in the Youth League: Andrea Natali and Jeremiah Mensah started in place of Bradley Ndi and Francis Onyeka. Leverkusen, who had begun the competition with two wins, took command of the game right from the kick-off against the French side, who were still to register a point and started defensively. Naba Mensah had the first shot on goal (7'). As the game progressed, the hosts also had a go at attacking. Midway through the first half, centre-back Ferdinand Pohl had to come off injured and was replaced by Akim Kister, who latter moved to left-back, with Ben Hawighorst replacing him in the centre of the defence (22').
Just two minutes later, Leverkusen's brief shock turned into an exuberant celebration: Kerim Alajbegovic took a shot from 25 metres out in a central position and, with the help of the inside of the post, the ball flew into the top left-hand corner for a 1-0 lead! With the cushion behind them, the Werkself kept their opponents‘ defence increasingly busy - however, the next goal was scored by Stade Brest: Ibrahim Kanté went off on a solo run from a central position and his finish landed in the bottom right-hand corner just before the break (44'). In stoppage time, Othniel Raterink almostbeat the French keeper with a crafty lob, but the teams went into the half-time break all-square.
With no changes made on either side, the second half began with a lot of pace and it was end-to-end stuff on the pitch. Artem Stepanov had the best opportunity to regain the lead in the 57th minute but hit the right post. Leverkusen's other attacking moves in this phase of the game mostly ended with an imprecise final pass. The next dangerous shot came from Alajbegovic (67'). After that, there was no more goalmouth action and the game finished in a 1-1 draw.
Coach Runge: "We're a little disappointed at the moment, especially because we were feeling very good in the first half. But in hindsight, we can be proud of our performances and results so far. Seven points from three games is good. Now we want to keep it going."
The Bayer 04 youngsters now have seven points from three games and are still unbeaten on the European stage this season. The next match is on Tuesday, 5 November, at Liverpool at 15:00 CET.
The Bayer 04 U19s continue their domestic Youth League campaign with a home derby on Sunday, 27 October (kick-off: 11:00 CET), when 1. FC Köln will be the visitors at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. Leverkusen are currently in second place with 20 points, while Köln are in fourth place with 13 points and a game in hand.
The stats:
Stade Brest: Dossche - Deville, Irie, Bargain, Salaun - Abalain (73' Iquioussen), Kanté, Geraux (87' Lannuzel), Viel, Bonnin (58' Moineau) - Botz (87' Sambou)
Bayer 04: Schlich - Raterink, Pohl (22' Kister), Natali, Hawighorst - N. Mensah, Buono - Culbreath, J. Mensah (65' Owen), Alajbegovic - Stepanov
Goals: 0-1 Alajbegovic (24'), 1-1 Kanté (44')
Yellow cards: Sambou - N. Mensah
Referee: Michele Beltrano (San Marino)
Spectators: 3,000 in Stade Francis-Le Blé
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