Werkself #BrestB04 review: The tricky match expected in France

And Wirtz’s numbers don’t stop there. Since his European club debut in August 2020, he has been directly involved in more goals than any other German player (27 – 15 goals, 12 assists). Only Ulf Kirsten has scored more European goals for Bayer 04 (30). And to further underline the level Wirtz is at: he is only the fifth player born since 2000 to score 15 goals in European competitions, joining Phil Foden, Rodrygo, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior on that list.

Stats: First concession of 2024/25

It was not until the third day of this Champions League campaign that a team scored in front of the Werkself. Leverkusen themselves managed eight shots against Brest, representing the team’s lowest total this European season. However, Bayer 04 remains unbeaten in its last five Champions League matches (2 wins, 3 draws), which constitutes the club’s best run since its eighth meeting between November 2015 and December 2016.

The team also extended their unbeaten away run in all competitions to 31 matches (24 wins, 7 draws), which is the longest ever recorded by a Bundesliga club.

Alonso’s men had 59 percent possession, won 54 percent of challenges and completed the better pass (89 percent to 84 percent), but were outshot 11-8.

Outlook: Bremen away, Elversberg at home

Leverkusen returns to the Bundesliga on Saturday with a trip to Werder Bremen (6:30 p.m. CEST). They will then continue to defend their DFB Pokal title with a second round match at home against Elversberg on Tuesday (kick-off 6:00 p.m.).