Perfect start to new year!

Match summary

Sebastian Hoeneß’s men produced a wonderful first-half display in Leverkusen, which began with the fashioning of a big chance in just the second minute, when Josha Vagnoman’s header was saved by Mark Flekken at close range.

Leweling opens scoring

The Leverkusen goalkeeper was beaten five minutes later, however. Deniz Undav played a perfect ball into the penalty area to Jamie Leweling, who cleverly poked it past the advancing Dutchman.

Mittelstädt makes it 2-0

When Jeanuel Belocian then upended Vagnoman in the box in the 27th minute, Maximilian Mittelstädt confidently converted the resulting penalty to double the lead. With 32 minutes gone, a strong save by Alexander Nübel from Ezequiel Fernandez’s deflected shot prevented the hosts from getting a goal back.

Quickfire double before the break

At the end of the first half, goals in quick succession from Leweling (45’) and Undav (45’+2) gave VfB a remarkable 4-0 lead at half-time.

Grimaldo reduces deficit

Leverkusen applied pressure after the break, but squandered early opportunities through Martin Terrier (54’) and Alejandro Grimaldo (63’), who was denied by the alert Nübel. Three minutes later, Grimaldo did find the net from the spot after Jeff Chabot gave away a penalty.

The Werkself pushed for more goals after that but VfB protected their 4-1 lead against the battling hosts. New signing Jeremy Arevalo made his debut as a 79th-minute substitute, while Ermedin Demirovic (on in the 88th minute) made his comeback from a lengthy injury lay-off.

Goals

7th minute: Undav sets up Leweling with a perfect pass into the penalty area, and he coolly slots it past Flekken in the Leverkusen goal.

29th minute: Mittelstädt makes no mistake with his penalty, sending it low into the left corner.

45th minute: Undav and Leweling combine again as the winger scores his second with a low shot into the left corner from 16 metres.

47th minute: Führich threads a perfect pass through to Undav, who shakes off his marker before firing the ball between Flekken’s legs to make it 4-0.

66th minute: Grimaldo converts his penalty, shooting straight down the middle.