ELV Elversberg Elversberg - B04 Leverkusen Bayer Leverkusen

ELV

3

B04

2

C. Campbell
9'
L. Petkov
8'

URSAPHARM-Arena(Sold out)

Robert Hartmann

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40 %Lukas Petkov

Lukas Petkov

Man of the Match Trophy

0:19

Campbell: 'What a start'

0:34

Elversberg players celebrate in front of the home fans

Full-time: Elversberg 3-2 Leverkusen

Elversberg claim three points from their first ever Bundesliga outing against established giants Leverkusen. After blowing Die Werkself away in the first half, Mokwa added a third inside the first minute of the second 45, which proved decisive. Despite a late fightback from Carles Martínez's side and goals from Schick and Kofane, the top-flight newcomers held firm to claim a historic result.

© IMAGO/Sebastian Bach

Full-time

90'

+ 5

Wide by Boniface

Quansah finds Boniface with a cross from the right, but the Nigerian's header is wide of the mark.

90'

+ 3

Hofmann!

Leverkusen's No.7 links up with García and Gutiérrez before testing his luck from inside the box. Kristof is equal to the effort, making the save, but conceding a corner in the process. Die Werkself can't make anything of the set piece, however.

90'

+ 1

Stoppage time

A minimum of five additional minutes have been indicated here. Can Leverkusen pull off the unthinkable?

Kofane brings Leverkusen back within one goal!

Leverkusen aren't giving up here! Miguel Gutiérrez whips in a cross from the left, finding fellow substitute Victor Boniface in the centre of the box. Boniface's header crashes against the crossbar, and Kofane is there to convert the rebound.

© IMAGO/Sebastian Bach

90'

+ 1

Christian Kofane

GOAL!

3:2

Christian Kofane

Goal probability

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.

29 %

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

8.73 m

89'

Roof of the net

Gutiérrez puts in a delightful rabona cross from the left, but Kofane can't keep his header down as he sends the ball onto the roof of Kristof's goal.

89'

Yellow card

Nicolas Kristof

86'

Return for Boniface

The double-winner returns to the field for Leverkusen for the first time in the Bundesliga since his loan spell at Werder Bremen last term.

85'

Substitution

Victor Boniface

85'

Drilled in by Sirch

Krattenmacher finds Sirch out on the right flank, who drives a low cross towards the near post. This time, Flekken is alert to the danger and dives on the ball.

83'

Defensive change

Le Joncour replaces Rohr at the heart of the Elversberg defence as the home side try to see out this 3-1 lead.

82'

Substitution

Florian Le Joncour

Maximilian Rohr

81'

Flashed over

Hofmann cuts the ball back to Maza from the byline, but the Algerian's effort from the edge of the box flies well clear of the crossbar.

78'

Yellow card

Schick reduces the deficit!

Elversberg fail to properly clear a left-sided Leverkusen corner. It falls to Maza on the edge of the box, who drills a right-footed shot towards the far post. The ball travels through a sea of legs before connecting with the backheel of Schick, which sends it flying past Kristof into the bottom right corner. Is this the catalyst for a stunning Leverkusen comeback here?

© IMAGO/Sebastian Bach

77'

Patrik Schick

GOAL!

3:1

Patrik Schick

Goal probability

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.

15 %

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

7.04 m

Another double change

Mokwa, who scored Elversberg's third, is withdrawn alongside Gyamerah. They are replaced by Schnellbacher, who has been with Elversberg since their days in the fourth tier, and Sirch.

© ANDREAS SCHLICHTER

75'

Substitution

75'

Substitution

Luca Schnellbacher

74'

Gyamerah down

Another Elversberg player takes some time to get to his feet following a collision with a Leverkusen forward. He's back to his feet now and is set to continue. Pinckert has also returned to the field sporting a bandage around his forehead.

71'

Pinckert receiving treatment

The Elversberg man has left the field to be treated after a collision with Kofane. Elversberg are down to 10 men for now.

70'

Krattenmacher from distance

The substitute picks the ball up a little over 30 yards from goal, before turning and letting fly, firing the ball over the crossbar.

The goalscorer departs

Vincent Wagner opts for his first changes of the afternoon, withdrawing the scorer of his side's second, Campbell, and Leverkusen loanee Onyeka, who also provided the assist for Petkov's opener. In their stead come Stuttgart loanee Darvich, and former Bayern starlet Krattenmacher. Hofmann also replaces Tillman for Leverkusen.

© Alex Grimm

65'

Substitution

65'

Substitution

Maurice Krattenmacher

65'

Substitution

64'

Moreira lets fly

Leverkusen's new No.9 cuts in off the right flank and bends an effort towards the top left corner from the edge of the area. His effort is not far away, but flies just over the crossbar.

0:19

Well wide

Maza picks out Schick with a cross from the left flank. The Czech forward gets his head to it, but fires his effort a couple yards wide of the left post.

62'

Leverkusen growing

In the last five minutes, the visitors have looked more confident in possession and are pegging Elversberg back, but they remain unable to break down the Saarlanders' resolute defence.

58'

Clinical hosts

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).

The xG values indicate that Elversberg have been lethal in front of goal when the chances have fallen their way.

xGoals

3

1.33

0.54

0

Goals

56'

Triple change

Martínez decides for wholesale changes as his side continue to chase a three-goal disadvantage. Argentine international defender Medina makes his Bundesliga debut off the bench. Quansah and Kofane are also introduced.

55'

Substitution

Christian Kofane

55'

Substitution

Ezequiel Fernández

55'

Substitution

53'

Maza booked

The Algerian international is booked for a tactical foul on Poręba.

53'

Yellow card

52'

On the volley

García connects sweetly with a volley on the edge of the Elversberg area. His effort is travelling with some venom, but an Elversberg defender manages to get his body in the way.

52'

Away by Pinckert

Maza fires a teasing cross into the Elversberg box from the right flank, but Pinckert is alert to the danger to clear for the hosts.

49'

Acrobatic clearance

After adding his side's third, Mokwa is back defending in his own box, clearing a Leverkusen free-kick away with an acrobatic overhead kick.

Dream start to the second half!

Elversberg are not taking their foot off the gas in the second half! Almost immediately from kick-off, Onyeka looks to pick out a completely unmarked Petkov with a switch of play from left to right. Petkov is forced wide, but Moreira doesn't close him down, allowing the Elversberg man to drill a low cross towards the near post, which Mokwa slides past Flekken - 3-0 to the debutants!

© Alex Grimm

46'

David Mokwa

GOAL!

3:0

Assist:L. Petkov

David Mokwa

Goal probability

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.

63 %

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

4.42 m

46'

Back under way!

Elversberg get the ball back rolling for the second half. At the interval, neither coach has elected to make any changes.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Elversberg 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen

The Bundesliga debutants lead at half-time here in Elversberg - and deservedly so! The Saarlanders got off to a dream start, storming to an early two-goal lead after just nine minutes thanks to goals from Lukas Petkov and Cole Campbell. Aleix García came the closest to reducing the arrears for Leverkusen when his long-range free-kick rattled the crossbar, but Carles Martínez will need to see much more from his side in the second half if they're to turn this one around.

© Alex Grimm

Half-time

45'

+ 1

Stoppage time

A minimum of two additional minutes have been indicated here.

45'

+ 1

No way through

Maza tries to dance through multiple Elversberg defenders inside their penalty area, but he cannot quite make space for the shot.

43'

Elversberg probing

The hosts aren't satisfied with their two-goal advantage here. Campbell picks the ball up on the left side outside the Leverkusen penalty area, and slaloms past a couple of defenders before seeing his low shot blocked at the edge of the box.

41'

Campbell sees yellow

The goalscorer has his name taken by the referee for a late challenge on Tapsoba.

41'

Yellow card

38'

Off the bar!

A great effort from García almost reduces arrears for Leverkusen. The Spaniard elects to go direct from a free-kick over 25 yards from goal in a central position. It deflects off the head of Poręba in the Elversberg wall, which sends the ball looping onto the crossbar. Moreira had followed the rebound into the box as well, but his header on the follow-up is off target.

36'

Vital intervention

Moreira dances into the Leverkusen box from the left flank and tries to cut it back to a teammate, but an Elversberg defender throws himself in the way and clears the danger.

0:21

33'

So close to a third!

Off of a short corner, Keidel plays a one-two with Petkov before threading a ball through into the left side of the box for Günther. The full-back lashes a cross towards the far post, where Mokwa was steaming in to try and get on the end of it, but misses the connection by a whisker!

31'

Hunting in packs

Every time Elversberg lose possession of the ball, they have multiple players pressing Leverkusen. Die Werkself are barely being allowed any time on the ball.

29'

First booking

Rohr is shown the first yellow card of the game for an overly physical challenge on Maza at the halfway line.

29'

Yellow card

Maximilian Rohr

28'

No takers

Leverkusen move up the pitch quickly. The ball comes to Tillman in off the left flank, who tries to pick out Schick with a cross, but the USMNT star overhits his delivery, sending it behind for an Elversberg goal-kick.

Campbell catching the eye

The American starlet has been a livewire for Elversberg so far this afternoon. He has taken more shots (two) and won more duels (seven) than any other player on the pitch.

© IMAGO/Sebastian Bach

21'

Just wide

Again, a superb, left-sided delivery from Gutiérrez is fired towards the far post. This time, a teammate does get his head to it, but Badé can only steer his effort wide.

19'

Better from Leverkusen

Gutiérrez curls an inviting cross towards the far post from the left flank, but Rohr does excellently to head it behind for a corner. Die Werkself don't manage to pose any threat from the set-piece, however.

17'

One-way traffic

It's been all Elversberg so far here.

Goal attempts

2off target

5on target

0off target

0on target

15'

Triple chance

Elversberg continue to pile on the pressure. First, Flekken saves one-against-one versus Onyeka, before Tillman blocks Keidel's effort from outside the box. Petkov then tries to follow up the rebound inside the area, but sees his effort deflected as well.

13'

Across the face of goal

Elversberg have their tails up here. From the left, Campbell fires a cross-shot towards the far post. Flekken doesn't know whether to come and claim it or stay on his goal line, and Petkov tries to latch on to it but cannot quite arrive in time. It had taken a deflection on its way through, but Elversberg don't manage to capitalise on the corner.

0:21

Campbell doubles Elversberg's advantage

The promoted side are in dreamland! Campbell pounces on a loose pass out from the back by Tapsoba before driving towards goal and firing a low shot back across goal. Flekken gets a hand to it, but it's not strong enough to deny the former Dortmund starlet - 2-0 Elversberg!

9'

Cole Campbell

GOAL!

2:0

Cole Campbell

Goal probability

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.

10 %

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

17.49 m

Lift-off for Elversberg!

Lukas Petkov scores the Saarlanders' first ever goal in the top flight! Mokwa wins the ball back high up the pitch. He picks out Onyeka inside the box, who opens his body up and tees up Petkov. The No.25 lifts his head up and drills a low shot towards the Leverkusen goal, which takes a deflection on its way past Flekken. Elversberg lead!

© IMAGO/Ralf Brueck

8'

Lukas Petkov

GOAL!

1:0

Assist:F. Onyeka

Lukas Petkov

Goal probability

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 %

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

17.63 m

6'

No danger

The inswinging corner comes in from the left, but Leverkusen head it clear.

5'

Campbell stings Flekken's palms

Onyeka dispossesses Moreira at the halfway line and immediately launches an Elversberg counter-attack. He picks out Campbell to his left, who lets a powerful shot fly towards the near post. Flekken is there to beat it behind for a first corner of the game.

2'

First chance for Elversberg

Campbell and Mokwa combine well down the left flank, before the latter shows his pace to get round Tapsoba in the Leverkusen box. He tries to cut the ball back from the byline, but Leverkusen manage to intervene.

1'

And we're off!

The ball is rolling here for the first ever Bundesliga game in Elversberg. Visitors Leverkusen kick off.

Kick-off!

Tapsoba to lead out Leverkusen

It will be the first time that he has led a Bundesliga team out onto the pitch as captain.

© IMAGO/Ralf Brueck

0:27

Nine Bundesliga debutants

Both sides have players starting in the Bundesliga for the first time today, meaning their kits will all have a special 'debut patch' attached to them that will later go inside a Topps trading card. Those starting their first Bundesliga games for Leverkusen are Gutiérrez and Moreira, whereas for Elversberg, it is Kristof, Gyamerah, Keidel, Onyeka, Pinckert, Poreba and Rohr.

Fantasy season under way!

Eyeing a fast start in Bundesliga Fantasy Manager? It's not too late to get involved!

© Lukas Schulze/Bundesliga

Elversberg team news

Elversberg make three changes from the side that battled past Duisburg in the cup, with match-winner Onyeka one of those rewarded with a starting position. Joining Onyeka are Mokwa and Pinckert, with Le Joncour, Darvich and Schnellbacher dropping to the bench.

© IMAGO/DeFodi.de

Leverkusen team news

Just the one change for Leverkusen from their 4-0 DFB Cup victory over Wehen Wiesbaden, and it is a predictable one as regular number one Mark Flekken replaces Janis Blaswich between the sticks.

© IMAGO/Bennet Long

Starting line-up: SV Elversberg

Formation:4-2-3-1

Elversberg subs

Boss, Sirch, Le Joncour, Michelson, Darvich, Krattenmacher, Condé, Schnellbacher, Futkeu

Starting line-up: Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Formation:4-2-3-1

Leverkusen subs

Blaswich, Medina, Quansah, Arthur, Belocian, Hofmann, Andrich, Boniface, Kofane

0:24

Watch: Inside Leverkusen's changing room

0:26

Watch: Elversberg arrive for Bundesliga debut

0:08

Watch: Elversberg ready to welcome the Bundesliga

0:09

Watch: Inside the Elversberg changing room

Onyeka ready to make an impact

Francis Onyeka could make his Bundesliga debut for Elversberg against Leverkusen, his parent club, and he is eager to make an impact for his new club. "I’d like to play an important role. My goal is always to start games as much as possible. I would also like to take on responsibility. I think I’m the kind of player for that and I’m looking forward to taking this role on," he said.

© IMAGO/DeFodi.de

García ready for Elversberg test

"We need to be ready because it's one of these games where maybe you go a little bit relaxed and then they punish you," García added when weighing the challenge of Elversberg. "So we need to be ready for this. I heard that this is a very, very small place, but, yeah, they are doing well. They are in the Bundesliga. So this is a sign that they are doing things well."

© DFL/Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke

Aleix García discusses Martínez arrival

Leverkusen midfielder García has been discussing his new head coach, and appears to be happy with the his compatriot so far. "He brings a lot of energy to the team, a lot of passion. Every coach has different ideas, a different mentality. But with Carlos, he brings a lot of energy to the team, for the young players that we have."

© IMAGO/Jürgen Schwarz

Carles Martínez on facing Elversberg

"We want to show what we've been working on over the past weeks. I want to see energy and passion. Elversberg have enjoyed good development and rightfully gained promotion. They're playing in the Bundesliga because they earned it. We're playing a team that defends well and understands football. It'll be a bit like a party tomorrow. They'll give all they've got."

© IMAGO/Jez Tighe

Vincent Wagner on facing Leverkusen

"There's real excitement. Our first matchday in the Bundesliga - that sounds really special. Regardless of opponent, we want to play our game. Counter-attacking is something we've mastered well. We're facing a team with good individual quality and an exciting idea of football with the new coach."

© IMAGO/Fabian Kleer

Remarkable rise

Back in 2021/22, Elversberg were playing the reserve sides of Stuttgart, Mainz and Hoffenheim in the fourth tier of German football. They now take on the 2024 Bundesliga champions in their first-ever top-flight fixture.

© IMAGO/Fabian Kleer

Last time out - Elversberg

Elversberg also booked their place in the DFB Cup second round after Leverkusen loanee Francis Onyeka's late double secured a 3-1 victory over third-tier Duisburg.

© IMAGO/DeFodi.de

Last time out - Leverkusen

Patrik Schick's first-half strike sent Leverkusen on their way to a 4-0 victory in the first round of the DFB Cup against third-division Wehen Wiesbaden, as Carles Martínez made a winning start to his Werkself tenure.

© IMAGO/Stephan Hahne

New beginnings

This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams in the Bundesliga, as Elversberg embark on their debut campaign in the top flight. They have met twice before in the DFB Cup, though, with Elversberg winning 4-3 in the first round of the 2023 edition before Leverkusen got their revenge with a 3-0 victory in the second round in 2025.

© IMAGO/Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 1 fixture between Elversberg and Bayer Leverkusen.