Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen made a statement in their return to the UEFA Champions League, demolishing Feyenoord 4-0 at De Kuip. The German giants, who have been in scintillating form on the continent, continued their impressive away record, now having lost just once in their last 11 European trips. This victory underlined their intentions in the competition, making them a team to watch out for.
First Half Blitz: Leverkusen Unstoppable
The match was barely five minutes old when Bayer Leverkusen opened their account. Florian Wirtz capitalized on a mistake by Ramiz Zerrouki, picking his pocket and unleashing a thunderous strike from outside the box to make it 1-0. The Dutch champions were shell-shocked, and things only got worse there.
Leverkusen doubled their lead on the half-hour mark. Victor Boniface showcased his creativity and delivered a no-look pass to Jeremie Frimpong, who whipped in a perfect cross. Alejandro Grimaldo was in the right place at the right time, slotting in the second goal with a clinical finish.
The German side, now brimming with confidence, continued their relentless assault. Having the night of his life, Wirtz volleyed home his second goal after a pinpoint cross from Frimpong. This made him the first German to score two goals on his UCL debut, a historic moment highlighting the youngster’s immense talent.
The fourth goal was more of a gift than a crafted masterpiece. Edmond Tapsoba’s header across the goal confused the Feyenoord defense, with Timon Wellenreuther inadvertently turning the ball into his net. It was 4-0 before halftime, and Leverkusen was in complete control.
Feyenoord’s Second Half Response
After being thoroughly outplayed in the first half, Feyenoord showed some spirit in the second half. They managed to create a few chances, the best of which saw Antoni Milambo come close with a cheeky backheel effort. Ayase Ueda thought he had pulled one back for the hosts, only for his goal to be ruled out for offside.
Despite their efforts, the damage was already done. Having built a massive lead, Bayer Leverkusen took their foot off the pedal and focused on preserving their advantage. Xabi Alonso wisely rotated his squad, resting key players ahead of their Bundesliga commitments over the weekend.
A Rare Defeat for Feyenoord at De Kuip
De Kuip is often called a fortress, and for good reason. Before this humbling defeat, Feyenoord had only lost once in their 18 European home games. It was a rare off-night for the Dutch champions, who were simply outclassed by a Leverkusen side firing on all cylinders.
Conclusion: Leverkusen Lay Down a Marker
This dominant performance sends a clear message to the rest of Europe. Under Xabi Alonso’s guidance, Bayer Leverkusen is more than just here to make up the numbers. With such a convincing win away from home, they have shown they have the quality and depth to go deep into this competition.
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Looking Ahead
Bayer Leverkusen will be eager to build on this victory as they return to Bundesliga action over the weekend. Meanwhile, Feyenoord must regroup quickly as they look to bounce back in their next European fixture. The journey in the UCL has just begun for both teams, and plenty of twists and turns are ahead.
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