Bayer Leverkusen is still waiting for its first win in a competitive game of the season. There was a sobering 1:2 against FC Augsburg and a few whistles.
The stars of the Champions League starter Bayer Leverkusen quickly fled. A few whistles followed the Werkself into the dressing room after the 2-1 (1-1) draw against FC Augsburg and the botched start of the Bundesliga. In the 23rd game in the upper house it was the first defeat against the “favorite opponent” from the Fugger city.
“That’s not what we want, not what we had in mind. That’s why it’s very, very disappointing,” said defender Jonathan Tah, visibly frustrated. Coach Gerardo Seoane denounced the poor conversion of chances: “We had enough chances, even if we didn’t play well.”
Bayer had previously lost at the start of the league at Borussia Dortmund, and there was also a cup embarrassment in Elversberg, and FCA also proved to be too strong. A threesome had actually been calculated.
Fredrik Jensen (15th) put FCA, who lost 4-0 at the start of the week against SC Freiburg, ahead after a nice combination. Charles Aranguiz (43rd) equalized just before the break. Andre Hahn (82nd), who came on as a substitute in the 65th minute, secured the three points for the Swabians according to video evidence.
Leverkusen’s substitute goalkeeper Andrei Lunew, the only Bundesliga professional from Russia, replaced captain Lukas Hradecky, who was suspended. Midfielder Robert Andrich was absent due to persistent muscular problems.
After more than four months, Amine Adli returned to the squad after tearing a tendon in her thigh and came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute. “He fell on his shoulder and it looks like a shoulder injury,” said Bayer coach Gerardo Seoane after the game: “He’s on his way to the hospital.”
Augsburg takes the lead early through Jensen
The start of Leverkusen was not positive. The Rhinelanders found no means against the early pressing guests of new coach Enrico Maassen.
The Augsburgers, on the other hand, combined through Iago and Ermedin Demirovic in the first notable offensive action by the Bayer defense. Jensen stayed cold alone in front of Lunew and pushed the ball into the goal.
Leverkusen’s performance didn’t improve after that: FCA keeper Rafal Gikiewicz had no problems with a header from Sardar Azmoun (17′) and a harmless shot from winger Moussa Diaby (20′). The majority of the 22,903 spectators in the BayArena gave their first whistles to the uninspired performance of their Werkself in the middle of the first half.
After left-back Mitchel Bakker negligently lost the ball, Lunew saved against Demirovic (30′). After another Azmoun header went just wide, Aranguiz took a dry shot from the edge of the box just before half-time. Azmoun narrowly missed the lead a few minutes later with a header.
Leverkusen only improved after the change of sides: offensive talent Adam Hlozek failed at Gikiewicz, Jeremie Frimpong moments later after a nice combination as well. The guest goalkeeper also won the duel between Bayer and Gikiewicz against Diaby and again Azmoun and kept FCA in the game with his brilliant performance. The supposed opening goal by Aranguiz (69th) did not count because of a previous foul play.
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Augsburg: The voices
Gerardo Seoane (Bayer Leverkusen manager): “Poor chances today. We had enough chances, even if we didn’t play well. We lacked fluidity and rhythm in the game. Even the best strikers miss chances.”
Enrico Maassen (FC Augsburg coach): “We’re very happy that we were able to win this game. We wanted to play bold football and we managed to do that, especially in the first 25 minutes. Then Leverkusen became more dominant and scored the goal. In the second half, Leverkusen had one or the other tough board, but we had an outstanding goalkeeper. The bit of luck was on our side. I’m very, very proud and completely satisfied with the result.”
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Augsburg: The data for the game
