The German soccer champions were dealt a blow in their first home game of the season. After 35 Bundesliga games without defeat, Bayer Leverkusen lost 2:3 (2:1) to Champions League contenders RB Leipzig in the top match on Saturday evening and were thus beaten by their national rivals for the first time since May 27, 2023.
After the narrow 1:0 win in the DFB Cup at FC Carl Zeiss Jena, Xabi Alonso rotated back to his regular team and made a total of seven changes. Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, who was ill, was still absent and Jonathan Tah, whose move to FC Bayern Munich did not materialize, naturally remained in defence.
Leverkusen start briskly
The Bayer coach said before the game that his team were not yet at the top level. His team then had the opportunity to improve against a strong Leipzig side. The hosts immediately set the tone offensively and were unlucky that Piero Hincapie's header only hit the underside of the crossbar (10th minute) and Granit Xhaka's long-range shot five minutes later only just missed the target.
The visitors, who were still active on the transfer market until shortly before the end, initially relied on tried-and-tested players and did not make any new signings in the starting line-up. With the suspended Willi Orban missing from the back line, coach Marco Rose opted for a back three with two additional attacking wingers who dropped back deep when Leverkusen attacked. Rose opted for the young El-Chadaille Bitshiabu in the starting eleven in the defensive center for the first time.
