Bayer Leverkusen draws late against Werder and remains winless without Xabi Alonso
Bayer Leverkusen surrendered a 3-1 lead with a man advantage to draw 3-3 against Werder Bremen, extending their struggle to secure a first Bundesliga win since Xabi Alonso’s departure. Karim Coulibaly’s stoppage-time strike deepened the pressure on Erik ten Hag, whose new-look side is yet to convince.
From control to collapse
The reigning champions appeared on course for victory after Patrik Schick’s brace and a debut goal from Malik Tillman gave them a 3-1 cushion. Werder had been reduced to 10 men following Niklas Stark’s red card in the 64th minute, and Schick’s penalty conversion looked to have sealed the contest.
But Leverkusen’s defense crumbled in the closing stages. Isaac Schmidt punished a Flekken error to make it 3-2, and in the 96th minute, after a desperate Werder attack involving even the goalkeeper, Coulibaly tucked in the rebound off the bar to snatch a dramatic equalizer.
Ten Hag under scrutiny
The draw compounds a rocky start for Erik ten Hag, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the summer. After opening with a 1-2 defeat to Hoffenheim and a humiliating 5-1 preseason loss to Flamengo’s U20s, the Dutchman is still searching for rhythm in a team undergoing major transition.
Only three starters remain from Alonso’s title-winning XI — Andrich, Grimaldo and Schick — with five summer signings (Flekken, Quansah, Tape, Tillman, Kofane) thrown straight into the lineup. Lucas Vázquez, signed from Real Madrid, is still unavailable as he completes training.
Transfer upheaval
The squad overhaul has been dramatic. In this window alone, Leverkusen have spent a club-record €141m while raising €229m from departures. The club continues to monitor the possible exit of Piero Hincapié and the arrival of rising talent Ben Seghir.
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