04/10 6:30 PM
05/10 1:30 PM
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05/10 4:30 PM
06/10 1:30 PM
06/10 3:30 PM
06/10 5:30 PM

Highlights

0:13
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Watch: Victor Boniface credits Xabi Alonso

0:17
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Watch: Granit Xhaka on Leverkusen's perfect start

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Full time! Leverkusen 5-1 Darmstadt

Leverkusen underline their impressive start to the season with a table-topping victory over winless Darmstadt. Boniface scored twice to take his Bundesliga tally to four, and might have had more as Alonso's free-flowing unit delivered a supremely polished second-half display. It's three wins from three for them. Over to Bayern in Gladbach...
Full-time
90'
+ 2

Should be six!

Schuhen dives full stretch to keep out debutant Tella. Hofmann has the entire goal to aim for on the follow-up, but sends his shot into the side netting!
90'
+ 1

Leverkusen rampant

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
They're up to 11 goals scored for the season, level with Stuttgart, as Schuhen prevents Boniface getting in for his hat-trick. Four minutes of added time to find another...
xGoals
5
2.92
0.95
5
Goals
90'
+ 1

Goal attempts
10off target
11on target
4off target
1on target
90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
2.
Tim Skarke
Tim Skarke34.39km/h
3.
Edmond Tapsoba
Edmond Tapsoba34.12km/h
84'

A fifth Leverkusen goal!

Die Werkself are running riot! It's really well worked again as Tah advances into Darmstadt territory and shifts a pass out to Mbamba on the right. His low cross is weighted to perfection, with Hlozek expertly touching it home from close range. Brilliant play by the two substitutes.
83'

Adam Hložek

GOAL!

5:1
Adam Hložek
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
88 %
80'

Strength in depth

Mbamba, 18, makes his second appearance for Leverkusen. Hlozek's also on, with influential duo Xhaka and Wirtz given a breather with 10 minutes plus stoppage time remaining.
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Your new Bundesliga leaders, folks!

Bayern go to Gladbach later today, while Union host Leipzig on Sunday. Depending on what happens in those games, Leverkusen will be top for a few hours at least. Alonso's pacesetters are then away to Bayern in the first game back from the September international break...
74'

Boniface again!

Boniface stays just onside as he receives a long ball out from the Leverkusen defence. He goes into the box and winds up to shoot, only for Klarer to steam in with a superb sliding challenge.
73'

Over from Boniface!

Tella gets straight to work on the right-hand side. He could shoot as he waltzes inside, but opts to drop it off for Boniface, who lifts a shot over the bar.
72'

Tella debut

Leverkusen respond to a pair of Darmstadt fresh legs by introducing new signings Nathan Tella and Josip Stanisic.
67'

Leverkusen in cruise control!

Lights out for Darmstadt now! It's another slick Leverkusen move with Wirtz collecting the ball in a central area and swiftly helping it on to Boniface on the left-hand side of the Darmstadt area. He opts against turning towards goal and instead rolls a pass into the feet of Hofmann. The Germany man takes a touch to set himself, before driving low and hard into the corner to bring up his first Bundesliga goal for his new club. Exquisite football!
67'
Jonas Hofmann
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
5 %
66'

Fresh legs

Palacios, who is on a booking, is replaced by Andrich in a like-for-like change in the Bayer midfield.
64'

Boniface!

It's that Wirtz-Boniface combination again for Bayer. The Nigerian receives another brilliantly weighted pass, outfoxes his marker and wellies one into the side netting from a tight angle. Hat-trick, anyone?
62'

Another Boniface double!

Daylight for Leverkusen, who crown a slick attacking move with their third goal of the afternoon. Hofmann injects a bit of pace into proceedings as the ball is worked towards Wirtz. He nonchalantly looks up and slips in Boniface, who takes it away from his man and finishes across Schuhen on his left foot. A real lesson in finishing - superb stuff!
61'
Victor Boniface
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
44 %
58'

Double change

Torsten Lieberknecht makes his move - and it's an attacking one. His team are not out of this yet!
52'

Something's brewing

Wirtz selflessly lays off Palacios's pass for Boniface, who loses his footing in the penalty box as he tries to turn his marker. Darmstadt need to weather this storm. Otherwise Bayer could run away with it...
51'

Expected Goals

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
It's not been vintage Leverkusen just yet, but they do have the lead. And you know what they say about winning when you're not at your best...
xGoals
2
1.26
0.87
2
Goals
51'

Goal attempts
7off target
7on target
2off target
1on target
49'

Leverkusen restore their lead!

Talk about perfect start! Hofmann feeds Frimpong, who is too quick for Isherwood. He bides his time before clipping a pass back towards the edge of the D for Palacios. It's not a clean hit, but two deflections take the ball past Schuhen's despairing dive and into the bottom corner.
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
11 %
47'

Signal of intent

Leverkusen start as they mean to go on as Wirtz slips a pass into the channel for Palacios. There are men in the middle, but the World Cup winner's cut-back is blocked behind for a corner that comes to nothing.
46'

Up and running again!

Leverkusen kick off the second half. Can they wrestle back the advantage and make it three wins from three to start the season?
Kick-off!
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Half-time! Leverkusen 1-1 Darmstadt

Leverkusen have dominated and deservedly went ahead through Boniface, but a goal from a set-piece means Darmstadt are level at the break. Can the visitors hold out in the second half?
Half-time
45'
+ 2

Nearly moment

Leverkusen swarm in and around the Darmstadt area. Some lovely one-touch stuff creates an opening for Frimpong, who shows great close control with his back to goal. For a moment, it looks like a shot on the turn is on for the Bayer wing-back, but he opts to lay the ball off and the chance is gone.
42'

Wirtz watch

Wirtz wins a free-kick that comes to nothing. He gets it back, though, before warming the palms of Schuhen with a shot from range. Just glimpses from the Bayer talent so far, in what's been a frustrating first half in the final third for Alonso's men.
40'

Inches away!

What a chance for the visitors! Baders hares up the right-hand side and whips in brilliant low cross for Pfeiffer, who is desperately close to turning it home. Huge let-off for Leverkusen!
37'

One-way traffic

Leverkusen have monopolised possession since conceding the equaliser. They're camped in the Darmstadt half as Hofmann makes Schuhen work with a curling strike from 18 yards.
34'

Xhak-attack!

Leverkusen come again as Hofmann rolls a pass into the feet of Xhaka on the edge of the Darmstadt area. He hits it first time with his right foot, forcing a strong diving save from Schuhen.
34'

Frimpong!

Wirtz threads an outrageous pass between Darmstadt's left-sided defenders for Frimpong. The Dutchman controls well, but sends his shot just wide of the far post.
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The finish

Boniface's third Bundesliga goal was a real beauty. He's just had another effort charged down, too.
31'

Yellow peril

Xhaka catches Pfeiffer, the Bayer summer signing following central midfield partner Palacios into the book. Those two will have to watch their step...
30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
2.
Marvin Mehlem
Marvin Mehlem32.51km/h
3.
Jonathan Tah
Jonathan Tah31.57km/h
26'

Enforced change

Karic is on for Nürnberger, who's still feeling the effects of that earlier clash with Holland.
25'

Darmstadt are level!

Leverkusen are pegged back at the BayArena! Tah concedes a free-kick midway through the Bayer half. Holland hangs it up towards the far post, where Klarer's just onside as he gets up to loop a header across goal, with Vilhelmsson applying the finishing touch from close range.
25'
Video Assistant RefereeVideo Assistant Referee
SituationGoal
ReviewOffside?
DecisionGoal
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
51 %
22'

Boniface strikes again!

Holland collides with Nürnberger following a Darmstadt corner, allowing Frimpong to release Boniface. He runs from halfway, jinking past two opposition players before clipping an exquisite finish over the advancing Schuhen. That's three goals and two assists in three Bundesliga games for the Nigerian.
21'
Victor Boniface
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
26 %
19'

Frimpong has a go

Frimpong takes aim from a central position on the eddge of the Darmstadt area, but doesn't catch it cleanly and that's a routine save for Schuhen.
16'

What a Klar-ence!

First real sight of goal as Wirtz creates an opening in the box for Grimaldo. He takes it round the first man and shoots goalwards, but Klarer slides in to make a brilliant block.
13'

Encouraging move

Darmstadt work the ball back up the pitch after a Bayer break is snuffed out. Mehlem feeds Vilhelmsson, whose 18-yard effort is blocked by Tah. Quick and early forward balls appears to be the drill the visitors when on the attack.
11'

Leverkusen in command

Possession (%)
6733
11'

Passes
114
38
8'

Hofmann outlet

Jonas Hofmann's making his presence felt on the right-hand side of the Leverkusen attack. The Germany international sends over another cross that's put behind for a corner. Hofmann takes, with a white shirt getting in the way of Tah's attempted header.
7'

Win probability

information
Win probability
With two wins from two, Leverkusen are heavy favourites. Darmstadt did pick up 29 points from a possible 51 on the road in Bundesliga 2 last season, though (W9, D2, L6). Only Hamburg fared better.
0'
79.4 %
Now
77.6 %
4'

All systems go

Grimaldo's back on his feet and moving freely. Leverkusen are back on the attack. Solid start by the hosts.
3'

Grimaldo concern

Grimaldo's receiving treatment after a clash of heads and awkward landing when contesting a teasing Hofmann cross...
1'

We're rocking!

The ball's rolling on a gloriously sunny day in Leverkusen. Bayer are in black and red, Darmstadt are in their change strip of all white.
Kick-off!

Here they come!

The teams are out, and the BayArena is in fine voice. Expectactions are high after Die Werkself's red-hot start to the campaign. It could be a tough day at the office for the visiting Lilies...

What a difference a year makes

Leverkusen were second bottom of the table 11 months ago. Victory today could take them top of the table, for a few hours at least.
0:24
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Watch: Players are in situ at the BayArena

The players have been out looking at the pitch in Leverkusen, with kick-off nearing.

More on those teams

Leverkusen, as expected are unchanged as they look to keep the good times rolling against Darmstadt, with new signing Nathan Tella named on the bench. As for the visitors, they are boosted by Matthias Bader's return from a knock, while it's Luca Pfeiffer and Oscar Vilhelmsson who start in attack.

Leverkusen starting XI

Hradecky (c) - Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba - Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo - Hofmann, Wirtz - Boniface

Leverkusen subs

Kovar, Stanisic, Arthur, Andrich, Amiri, Mbamba, Puerta, Tella, Hlozek

Darmstadt starting XI

Schuhen - Klarer, Zimmermann, Isherwood - Bader, Mehlem, Franjic, Holland (c), Nürnberger - Vilhelmsson, Pfeiffer

Darmstadt subs

Behrens, Maglica, Karic, Riedel, Schnellhardt, Kempe, Gjasula, Skarke, Stojilkovic

Vote now to win big prizes!

To mark the Bundesliga’s 60th birthday on 24 August, we’re giving fans the chance to pick their all-time best Bundesliga XI – this week it’s midfielders. Cast your votes below to go into the draw for some exclusive prizes.

Probable line-ups

Who's in, who's out, who's a doubt? Find out the likely line-ups for this Matchday 3 encounter right here!!
2:03
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Delightful display

Leverkusen put on an attacking show of strength against Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend with Victor Boniface scoring twice and Jonathan Tah netting his second goal of the season in an impressive win for Xabi Alonso's men.

Stats favour hosts

With Darmstadt having lost 16 of their last 18 away games in the Bundesliga and Leverkusen unbeaten in eight Bundesliga games against promoted teams - winning 6 and scoring 23 goals in the process - Saturday's visitors have their work cut out for them.
2:03
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Lilies playing catch-up

Newly-promoted Darmstadt lost their opening two games of the season against Eintracht Frankfurt and Union Berlin. Last weekend's 4-1 reverse came despite Torsten Lieberknecht's side playing against ten men for long periods.

B04's winning aim

Leverkusen have posted two wins in their opening two Bundesliga games this season. The Werkself have only managed three wins in their first three German top-flight games days twice in the past: namely in 2003 and 2013..
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BayArena memories

The last time these two sides met at the home of Leverkusen, Bayer won an exciting encounter 3-2, with Hakan Calhanoglu, Julian Brandt and Charles Aranguiz all on target for the hosts in the 2016/17 season. Leverkusen did the double over Darmstadt that term, with the Lilies eventually suffering relegation.

Welcome along!

Hello and a warm Bundesliga welcome to an intriguing Matchday 3 encounter that sees Xabi Alonso's impressive Leverkusen take on the recently-promoted Darmstadt.