Bayer Leverkusen’s trip to the Weserstadion on Saturday was supposed to be a chance to reset after a disappointing start to the Bundesliga season. Instead, it turned into a chaotic, emotionally charged affair that saw the visitors squander a two-goal lead and concede a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to settle for a 3–3 draw against a spirited Werder Bremen side reduced to ten men for the final half-hour. While the result extended Leverkusen’s remarkable unbeaten streak in away league matches to 35 games—a run that now spans three seasons—it also exposed the fragility of a team undergoing a seismic transformation under new head coach Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman, who arrived in the summer to replace Xabi Alonso following the Spaniard’s historic domestic double in 2024, is still searching for cohesion and consistency in a squad that has been almost entirely rebuilt.
The match began with a sense of anticipation and uncertainty. Leverkusen’s opening-day defeat at home had already raised eyebrows, and with more than half a dozen key players having departed during the offseason—including stalwarts like Lukas Hradecky, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Amine Adli, Jonathan Tah, and Granit Xhaka—the pressure was mounting on ten Hag to deliver results while integrating a host of new signings. The challenge was compounded by the fact that Werder Bremen, though not among the league’s elite, are notoriously difficult to beat at home and had shown flashes of resilience in their own season opener. Yet, for the first hour, Leverkusen looked to be in control, playing with fluidity and purpose, and capitalizing on defensive lapses with ruthless efficiency.
The breakthrough came early, and it was a gift. Nathan Tella, one of Leverkusen’s summer acquisitions, pounced on a careless back pass from Werder’s midfield and surged into the box. With composure and vision, he cut the ball back for Patrik Schick, who made no mistake with a low, drilled finish that left the goalkeeper rooted. It was a goal that spoke to Leverkusen’s pressing philosophy and their ability to punish errors, and it gave them a platform to build on. The second goal, arriving in the 35th minute, was even more impressive. Malik Tillman, another new face in the squad, received the ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a precise shot that kissed the inside of the post before nestling into the net. At 2–0, Leverkusen looked comfortable, confident, and in control.
But football, as ever, is a game of moments, and Werder Bremen found theirs just before the interval. With the clock ticking down in the first half, Romano Schmid latched onto a loose ball and fired past Mark Flekken to halve the deficit. It was a goal that changed the complexion of the match, injecting belief into the home side and sowing seeds of doubt in Leverkusen’s ranks. The timing was crucial—scoring just before the break gave Werder momentum and forced ten Hag to rethink his approach during the interval. The second half began with renewed intensity, and while Leverkusen initially responded well, restoring their two-goal cushion through a Schick penalty in the 64th minute, the game was far from over.
The penalty itself was the result of a chaotic sequence that saw Werder’s Niklas Stark receive a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge inside the box. Down to ten men, Werder appeared to be on the ropes, and Schick’s cool finish from the spot seemed to have sealed the win. But instead of closing out the game, Leverkusen faltered. Their defensive shape became disjointed, their midfield lost control, and their decision-making under pressure deteriorated. The turning point came in the 76th minute when Isaac Schmidt capitalized on a calamitous error from Flekken. The goalkeeper, attempting to intercept a long ball outside his area, misjudged the bounce and left his goal exposed. Schmidt rolled the ball into the empty net, and suddenly, the match was alive again.
The final minutes were frenetic, with Werder throwing everything forward in search of an equaliser and Leverkusen desperately trying to hold on. Despite their numerical advantage, the visitors looked rattled, unable to string passes together or retain possession. The pressure culminated in stoppage time when Karim Coulibaly, who had been a thorn in Leverkusen’s side all afternoon, found space in the box and slotted home the equaliser. The stadium erupted, and the Werder bench spilled onto the pitch in celebration. For Leverkusen, it was a gut-wrenching moment—a two-goal lead squandered, three points lost, and more questions raised about their defensive resilience and mental toughness.
From a tactical standpoint, the match highlighted several issues for ten Hag to address. While the attacking play was encouraging—Schick’s movement, Tillman’s creativity, and Tella’s energy all stood out—the defensive structure was porous, particularly in transition. The absence of experienced leaders like Tah and Xhaka was evident, and the midfield lacked the bite and discipline needed to close out games. Flekken’s error was costly, but it was symptomatic of a broader problem: a lack of composure under pressure. The team’s inability to manage the final 15 minutes, despite being a man up, will be a major concern for the coaching staff.
Werder Bremen, on the other hand, will take immense pride in their performance. Playing with ten men for nearly half an hour, they showed grit, determination, and tactical flexibility. Coulibaly’s late goal was the reward for their persistence, and Schmidt’s opportunism underscored their ability to capitalize on mistakes. Head coach Ole Werner will be pleased with the character his team displayed, and the result could serve as a springboard for a strong run of form. The draw also reaffirmed Werder’s reputation as a team that refuses to quit—a trait that will serve them well in a league where margins are often razor-thin.
For Leverkusen, the road ahead is challenging. The squad overhaul has brought in talent, but cohesion takes time, and the Bundesliga is unforgiving. Ten Hag must find a way to instill defensive discipline without sacrificing attacking flair, and he must do so quickly. The unbeaten away streak is impressive, but it masks deeper issues that need resolution. The next few fixtures will be critical—not just in terms of points, but in terms of identity. Is this a team that can compete for the top four, or is it one that will struggle to find consistency amid transition?
The draw at Werder Bremen was more than just a dropped opportunity—it was a mirror held up to a team in flux. The talent is there, the ambition is clear, but the execution remains elusive. As ten Hag continues to mold his squad, matches like this will serve as both lessons and litmus tests. For now, Leverkusen remain unbeaten on the road, but the journey ahead promises to be anything but smooth.
