Bayer Leverkusen continued their negative run in the Champions League. At FC Brugge, the Bundesliga club lost 0-1 (0-1) due to a curious goal. Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky fell behind the goal line during a save with the ball in his hands.
The cup-out in the first round, only three points after five games in the Bundesliga – Bayer Leverkusen’s weak start to the new season was also noticeable in the opening game in the Champions League. At Club Brugge, coach Gerardo Seaoane’s side were cautious from the start. The Belgians made the game and were also much more sure of their passes.
Diaby is only centimeters away from the lead
However, Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby provided the first highlight. He moved in from the right side, rounded three opponents and shot from 16 meters. Bruges keeper Simon Mignolet had few problems with the attempt (9th). It was different with Diaby’s next shot on goal, this time it was about 20 meters. The ball – deflected by Mignolet’s fingertips – hit the post (27th).
While Brugge were in control of the game, Leverkusen were the team that got dangerously in front of goal. Overall, however, it was a game on a fairly manageable level – in which the Bundesliga side also found their way better overall as the game went on.
Hradecky’s faux pas shocked Leverkusen
But then Bayer was thrown back again by a mistake of their own. After a corner kick, Abakar Sylla headed into Lukas Hradecky’s arms, but the Leverkusen goalkeeper fell behind the line with the ball – 1-0 for Brugge (42′). Seconds before the half-time whistle, the Finn was able to prevent the second goal against Kamal Sowah (45+1).
Bayer tried to make up for this slapstick goal in the second round and now played a bit more offensively. However, the penetrating power was missing, there were not more than half chances at first. It looked more as if Brugge were closer to the second goal.
Chic in bad luck
The Belgians relied on counterattacks and largely let Leverkusen have the ball. But in safe areas. If Bayer approached the opposing penalty area, a bulwark of up to nine field players awaited the Bundesliga side.
A standard situation almost helped, Patrik Schick scored as a result of a corner kick after a cross by Callum Hudson-Odoi – next to him Jonathan Tah was just offside, the goal was disallowed according to the video images (73.).
Can Seoane still turn the corner?
Nevertheless, the scene was proof that Leverkusen were now doing better. More speed and courage posed problems for the Bruges defense, but the accuracy in the last pass was lacking. It only became dangerous in injury time after a free kick by Adam Hlozek, which Mignolet saved again (90+3).
And so there was already the sixth defeat for Leverkusen in the seventh competitive game. Before the game, sporting director Simon Rolfes told his coach Seoane “our full support and trust” pronounced. After the latest failure, questions about the future of the Swiss will arise again.