New-look Bayer Leverkusen hitting their stride under Kasper Hjulmand
Bayer Leverkusen’s start to the 2025/26 season has not exactly been smooth sailing, but Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Union Berlin offered further evidence that Kasper Hjulmand is guiding Die Werkself into calmer waters.
Having offset the departure of several key players with 17 summer signings, Leverkusen opted to part ways with new head coach Erik ten Hag in early September and replace the Dutchman with former Mainz and Denmark boss Hjulmand.
Addressing reporters at his unveiling, the 53-year-old was quick to warn fans not to expect too much, too soon as he looks to follow in the footsteps of 2023/24 double-winner Xabi Alonso – but the early signs have certainly been positive.
Despite a thigh injury to star striker Patrik Schick late last month, Hjulmand has become the first Leverkusen boss since Roger Schmidt 11 years ago not to lose any of his first six games in charge in all competitions.
Reflecting on his latest victory – his third as Leverkusen boss – Hjulmand said: “We played with a lot of quality, including the players who came off the bench. It was another step in the right direction. We showed our identity and I’m very happy.”
Crucially, those summer arrivals – particularly some of the younger acquisitions – are looking increasingly comfortable in their new surroundings.
Ernest Poku’s opener was the Dutch youth international’s second goal in as many league appearances, while Cameroonian teenager Christian Kofane followed up his first strike for the club against PSV on Wednesday with Bayer’s second against Steffen Baumgart’s team.
Both players have had to bide their time for a place in Hjulmand’s starting XI since joining from AZ Alkmaar and Albacete respectively, but they are grasping their opportunity with both hands.
“I’m very confident at the moment, but so are the team,” said a delighted Poku, who was hailed by regional newspaper Rheinische Post as “one of the most important transfers of the summer” on the back of Saturday’s display. “We played today as if we’ve been playing together for many years.”
There were promising performances elsewhere too, with USA international Malik Tillman continuing to show glimpses of the form that yielded 44 goal involvements in 73 appearances during his time at PSV.
Watch: Tillman's first goal for Leverkusen
Tillman was not involved in either of the goals against Union but created three chances for his side – more than any of his team-mates – and was the only player on the pitch to hit double figures for successful duels.
At the other end of the pitch, there was a first Bundesliga clean sheet of the season for Bayer’s new-look back-three of Edmond Tapsoba, Loïc Badé and Jarell Quansah, whose understanding is growing game by game.
Former Liverpool centre-back Quansah and ex-Sevilla defender Badé were particularly impressive against Union, regaining possession 15 times and winning nine aerial duels between them as they restricted the visitors to half-chances.
Arguably Die Werkself’s standout performer on Saturday, however, was a player who joined the club 12 months earlier – Spanish midfielder Aleix García.
Having started only 17 league games in his debut campaign, the former Manchester City and Girona midfielder appears to be establishing himself as an indispensable member of Hjulmand’s first-choice XI.
García was Leverkusen’s string-puller in chief against Union, enjoying more touches (162) and registering more final-third entries (33) than any other player on the pitch.
The 28-year-old also completed 96.7 percent of his 152 passes – the joint-highest ratio alongside Tapsoba, who attempted only 89 passes.
“He had a superb game,” Hjulmand said of García. “He’s become better and better since my arrival. He played very well alongside Equi [Fernández] and Rob [Andrich], but so did the other players. I’m very happy with them.”
Speaking to the Süddeutsche Zeitung before Saturday’s game, sporting director Simon Rolfes reiterated his belief that Hjulmand’s new-look squad has all the makings of a “title-winning” side.
“We’ve bought players who we couldn’t have signed four or five years ago,” he said. “Many of them are capable of becoming absolutely top-class players.
“Over the coming years, we can build on the foundations of our new squad to improve and close in on winning the title.
“We want to keep pushing on, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
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