Draws, Drama and Dutch Delays – Bayer’s Love Affair with Almost Winning

Well, there we go again. Second Champions League match, second draw – Leverkusen 2025/26, still proudly defending its unofficial European title as “The Kings of Almost.” Against PSV Eindhoven, it was the kind of match that had all the ingredients for a perfect European night: floodlights, flair, excitement, woodwork rattling… and that familiar missing piece – the actual victory.

It all started with a small shock when eternal football nomad Ivan Perisic nodded the ball in after five minutes – thankfully from an offside position. After that, though, Bayer took control like a DJ grabbing the decks at a dull party. The Werkself played some sparkling stuff: Grimaldo smashed one against the crossbar, Poku danced past defenders as if he were late for a techno festival in Eindhoven, and Garcia launched a few missiles from distance that nearly needed an export license. Only thing missing? A goal.

Enter minute 65: Christian Kofane, just 19 years old and cooler than a refrigerator, pounced on a PSV blunder and calmly slotted home for the 1–0. The youngest Champions League scorer in Bayer’s history! For a few glorious moments, you could feel destiny smiling on the Werkself. Then, in minute 72, Ismael Saibari decided to ruin the mood and equalized – and just like that, Leverkusen fans around the world sighed in perfect synchronization.

To be fair, it was a good performance. Hjulmand’s team continues to play football that’s actually fun to watch – slick, structured, and creative. The only thing missing was that final bit of ruthlessness, the one the coach diplomatically called “the last bit of consequence.” It’s as if the team is writing beautiful novels but forgets to finish the last chapter.

Still, there’s plenty to love. The kids! Poku, Kofane, Tape – sounds like a new boyband from the Rhineland, and they’re playing with a joy that’s contagious. Tape had to go off injured, but until then he looked calm and confident. And Kofane? The boy finished like he’s been doing it for years, not like someone still figuring out his Spotify student discount.

So, 1–1 it is. A result that feels both okay and annoying at the same time – very Bayer, in other words. On the bright side, Leverkusen remain unbeaten in all eight games against Dutch sides. Not quite headline material, but hey, small wins are still wins.

Next up: Union Berlin. Less glamour, more grit. Maybe exactly the kind of match to turn all these lovely chances into actual goals. Because make no mistake – this team deserves more than two draws. Keep playing like this, add a pinch of killer instinct, and the wins will come.

Until then, we stay what we’ve always been: not champions, but definitely entertaining. And honestly, that’s kind of our thing, isn’t it?