Champions League thriller ends in a draw as Leverkusen drop a late point
Two matchdays into the Champions League group stage, Bayer Leverkusen remain without a victory. After a 2-2 stalemate in Copenhagen to open the campaign, the German side hosted PSV Eindhoven and briefly looked set to claim three points. A 65th-minute finish from the 19-year-old talent Christian Kofane gave Leverkusen a precious lead, only for a late defensive lapse to invite another equalizer and ensure the contest finished 1-1.
In the end, Leverkusen’s performance was marked by momentum swings, clinical finishing from their opponents, and a reminder that in Europe every lead comes with its own peril. Alejandro Grimaldo spoke after the whistle, acknowledging the positives while insisting there is no room for complacency in the Champions League: “I think we have played one of our best games; we created many chances – but this is the Champions League. We are sad because we deserved more. But we must keep going.”
Old foes, new chapters: Tillman inherits a Wirtz-like task
The match carried a sense of déjà vu for Leverkusen fans. The midfielder slotting in for the injured Florian Wirtz—who left for Liverpool in a record-breaking deal—was Malik Tillman, returning to the club with hopes of filling the void left by his compatriot. Tillman’s early storyline echoed Wirtz’s: there were nerves, moments of poise, and a clear pressure to deliver in big games on the European stage.
PSV Eindhoven lined up with Matěj Kovář in goal, a decision that had seen Leverkusen favour a different custodian in the build-up. PSV’s manager, Peter Bosz, has a storied history with Leverkusen and a penchant for turning games on its head—something his current side nearly achieved here, too.
Key moments: early drama, decisive missteps, late heartbreak
Early on, the guests had something to celebrate. In the 5th minute, Ivan Perišić flashed a header into the net from a cross to the far post, but VAR ruled the build-up offside, erasing the opener. Leverkusen replied with intent, threatening from the flanks and testing Kovář several times. Alejandro Grimaldo struck from a tight angle in the 11th minute and hit the post, while a deflected effort from Aleix García in the 15th minute sailed narrowly wide. In the 25th minute, Tillman’s attempt was saved by the PSV keeper, keeping the scoreline level as the teams traded attacks rather than clear-cut chances.
PSV’s approach gradually shifted in the second half, but their influence remained limited in the early stages. The visitors managed just a quartet of shots in roughly an hour, with none forcing a save from Mark Flekken. Then came the decisive moment that changed the tenor of the night. PSV captain Jerdy Schouten played a dangerous backpass in his own box toward Armando Obispo; Kofane pounced, stealing the ball and firing past Kovář for a well-timed breakthrough. It was a moment of sharp instinct from the teenager and a costly lapse from the Dutch side’s defense.
The goal didn’t spark a swift reaction from PSV, who still looked, on balance, capable of building pressure. Leverkusen, however, appeared to have control, but failed to extend their lead. In the 63rd minute, a counterattack fizzled out, and the hosts began to retreat into a more conservative shape. Eindhoven seized the initiative in the final 20 minutes, enjoying about two-thirds of possession and flooding Leverkusen’s half with intensity. Yet the decisive strike would come from the visitors’ next foray forward—Saibari composed himself on the left and curled a measured shot into the far corner in the 72nd minute, leveling the match at 1-1.
Leverkusen pushed for a late winner, and Grimaldo came close again in the 93rd minute, but his low strike was expertly saved by Kovář. The late chance was a stark reminder that a winner could have been found on another night, but the already nervous guard on the PSV goal kept the scoreline intact as the whistle blew.
Looking ahead: Leverkusen seek a Bundesliga bounce and a fresh challenge
With the point earned, Leverkusen shift focus back to domestic duties. On Saturday afternoon at 15:30 CET, they welcome Union Berlin to the BayArena in the Bundesliga. It will be another test of character for Xabi Alonso’s side, who will need to convert their dominant phases into more decisive finishes. Sports fans can follow live updates with the usual digital tickers as Leverkusen aim to translate performances into results on both the European and domestic fronts.
Bottom line
Leverkusen’s progress in this Champions League campaign remains cautious, underscored by a young talent rising in Kofane and a clear plan from Grimaldo and co. The draw against PSV Eindhoven preserves their unbeaten record in the sense of not losing, but it also leaves them chasing a maiden victory in Europe—an objective that will demand sharper game management and clinical finishing in the weeks ahead.
