Two reds and nine hits
After a wild game: Bayer experienced a debacle against PSG
Updated 10/21/2025 – 11:03 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Bayer Leverkusen surprised Paris Saint-Germain after a strange start that resulted in two red cards. In the end, the Werkself still had no chance.
Bayer Leverkusen suffered a bitter 7-2 defeat in the Champions League at defending champions Paris Saint-Germain after a wild game. After an open exchange of blows in the opening phase, the Werkself, who were overwhelmed at times, experienced a debacle in the end in the nine-goal spectacle.
The pressure on coach Kasper Hjulmand’s team is growing in the league phase of the Champions League. Leverkusen is still waiting for success due to the painful setback against PSG. Ex-Frankfurt player Willian Pacho (7th), young star Désiré Doué (41st/45th +3) as well as Chwitscha Kwarazchelia (44th), Nuno Mendes (50th) and Vitinha (90th) scored the goals for the cool champion. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, who celebrated his comeback after a six-week injury break, was also able to celebrate (66th). Despite the red card for Illja Sabarnyj (37th), Paris celebrated their third win in the third game.
And Bavarian? Little went together for the German runner-up: Alejandro Grimaldo (25th) missed a hand penalty, and captain Robert Andrich (32nd) also saw red for an assault according to video evidence. At least Aleix Garcia (38th, penalty kick/54th) scored the consolation goal for the Rhinelanders, who are now in tough away duels against Benfica Lisbon (November 5th) and Manchester City (November 25th).
Hjulmand had prepared Bayer for “one of the best, if not the best team in the world”. In any case, Leverkusen needs a high level of “frustration tolerance,” emphasized goalkeeper Mark Flekken – and they should be right about that.
Pacho punished the sleepy Bayer defense early and headed in unchallenged from a short corner. The Leverkusen team, who had to do without numerous regular players such as Patrik Schick and Jarell Quansah, only slowly fought their way into a game that took numerous crazy turns against ball-confident hosts.
In focus? Especially Sabarnyj. The PSG professional initially caused the hand penalty, which Grimaldo hit the post. After Andrich had earned a completely unnecessary sending off by elbowing Doué, Sabarnyj knocked down Christian Kofane on the other side and was shown red – this time Garcia converted safely from the spot.
Paris nipped the Bayer fans’ hopes of a coup in the bud. The title holder’s entire class flashed when final hero Doué, who had only returned the previous week after an injury break, scored a brace and Kwarazchelia practically decided the game within a few minutes shortly before half-time. Bayer’s resistance was broken.
Mendes added shortly after the break. Leverkusen scored another goal thanks to a remarkable long-range shot from Garcia and kept the damage limited – not least because Paris slowed down a few gears. In the final phase, all eyes were on Dembélé, who crowned his return with a goal. Vitinha took care of the final score.