Bayer Leverkusen began their Champions League campaign in stunning fashion with a dominant 4-0 victory over Feyenoord on Thursday, silencing the crowd at De Kuip after a whirlwind first half.
Florian Wirtz starred with a brace, while Alejandro Grimaldo added his name to the scoresheet, and an own goal from Feyenoord completed the rout by halftime.
The Dutch side, runners-up in the Eredivisie last season, were booed off the pitch by their own fans as they struggled to cope with the relentless attacking display from the German outfit.
It was a humbling opening for Feyenoord, who have yet to hit their stride this season following the departure of their coach Arne Slot to Liverpool.
Their disjointed performance starkly contrasted with Leverkusen’s clinical execution. Die Werkself, who went unbeaten in the Bundesliga last season, looked a class above their opponents, especially in the first 45 minutes.
Leverkusen’s aggressive pressing and swift transitions repeatedly sliced through Feyenoord’s defense. Wirtz opened the scoring early on, showcasing his composure and precision in front of goal.
Grimaldo then doubled the lead with a superb strike from distance, leaving Feyenoord’s goalkeeper with no chance.
The pressure continued to mount on the hosts as Leverkusen’s relentless attacking resulted in an own goal, before Wirtz capped off the half with his second of the night, finishing off a fluid team move.
After the break, Feyenoord attempted to claw their way back into the game, enjoying more possession and pushing forward in search of a goal. However, Leverkusen’s defensive solidity ensured that their lead remained unthreatened. Despite dominating the ball, the home side failed to break down a well-organized Leverkusen backline, with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky rarely troubled aside from a disallowed effort by Ayase Ueda.
Leverkusen’s ability to manage the game after the break highlighted their tactical maturity. Having done the hard work in the first half, they lowered the tempo in the second, conserving energy and minimizing risk.
This approach allowed them to keep Feyenoord at bay without expending unnecessary effort, an intelligent strategy with an eye on their upcoming Bundesliga clash against Wolfsburg on Sunday.
The victory not only marked an emphatic start to Leverkusen’s Champions League journey but also suggested that they have shaken off the early-season rust evident in their Bundesliga draws against VfB Stuttgart, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and RB Leipzig.
With such a commanding performance, they have set a high standard for the matches to come.
