Wirtz double helps Bayer Leverkusen look relentless

Bayer Leverkusen made their debut in the new edition of the Champions League with a thrashing of Feyenoord / Photo: Bayer Leverkusen Press

Bayer Leverkusen beat Feyenoord 4-0 on Thursday with two goals from Florian Wirtz, one from Alejandro Grimaldo and another own goal from goalkeeper Simon Wellenreuther, in a match that at times seemed much closer than the result of the UEFA Champions League duel, the most important European football competition, indicated.

Leverkusen had the game decided before the break with four goals in the first half, the result of their relentless efficiency against a hard-working Feyenoord that tried to control the game in the opening minutes and that gradually faded away.

Wirtz opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a shot from the half-moon area after a pass from Robert Andrich who had stolen the ball from Zerrouki in midfield.

At the time of Wirtz’s goal, Feyenoord seemed to have the initiative and the ball was circulating more in the opposition half than around Simon Wellenreuther’s goal.

Leverkusen did not have another shot on target until the 26th minute, when Victor Boniface struck from outside the area. In the opposition box, Zerrouki’s goal was ruled out in the ninth minute for offside and In-Beom Hwang’s shot was ruled out in the 15th from a good position but too central.

More attempts

In the 29th minute, Hwang again shot from outside the area and the ball went just wide of the near post. The match seemed even but everything would break down in the following minutes.

In the 31st minute, Leverkusen’s second goal came from Grimaldo, after a move started by Wirtz near the centre line. Wirtz played with Boniface, who opened the scoring from the half-moon for Jeremy Frimpong, who crossed for Grimaldo to finish from close range.

Feyenoord tried to continue attacking but were met with a perfect counterattack from Leverkusen which brought a goal that practically sealed the match. Terrier, from his own half, played a through ball to Frimpong who, already close to the area, crossed to the far post where Wirtz finished with a first-time finish.

The fourth goal, just before half-time, came when Tapsoba headed in a Grimaldo free-kick and Wellenreuther turned the ball into his own net.

Second stage of processing

In the second half, very little happened. Leverkusen slowed down and let Feyenoord play, who had possession and had a few approaches to the area and a good chance with a shot from Timberg in the 55th minute.

The 4-0 final scoreline contrasts with the fact that Feyenoord had more possession and more shots on goal. Looking at the stats, you might think it was a close game, and perhaps it would have been if it hadn’t been for Leverkusen’s relentless efficiency.

Rotterdam / EFE