Two Shots, Two Goals, Too Much Bayer – A Night in Athens to Forget

If you’ve ever wondered whether 738 passes are enough to win a Champions League game, here’s your answer: absolutely not. Welcome to the strange and beautiful world of Bayer 04 Leverkusen – the only club in Europe capable of controlling a match from start to finish and still walking off the pitch with a big fat zero on the scoreboard.

It ended 0:2 in Athens, not because Olympiacos were the better team, but because they were the colder one. Two shots on target, two goals, job done. Bayer, on the other hand? Possession, pressing, pretty patterns – and as toothless in front of goal as a retired Pomeranian after dental surgery.

This was classic Werkself: dominant, determined, delightful to watch – and completely allergic to scoring. Sure, it was Matchday 7 (because UEFA group stages are now more confusing than Greek tax law), but it felt like the first time this team really played like a knockout contender. Just without the result.

There were positives, of course. Blaswich made his debut, Vázquez returned to the starting XI, and Aleix García pinged 120 passes like a metronome on steroids. But for all the midfield orchestration, it was once again a masterclass in how to lose a game you’re supposedly in charge of.

Olympiacos did what Bayer couldn’t: they made their moments count. Meanwhile, the Werkself wasted chance after chance, running into Tzolakis – who now probably qualifies for honorary citizenship in Leverkusen, given how often he’s ruined our evenings.

And so we fans are left in familiar territory: proud of the performance, frustrated by the result, and stuck somewhere between belief and the usual Bayer blues. Yes, we’ll keep the faith – it’s part of the deal. But it’d be nice to get goals and points alongside the pretty passing charts.

Next up? Bremen at home. Perfect chance to show that this team can do more than just *almost* score. If not, we’ll be back here talking about pass accuracy and “expected goals” while the Champions League slips further away. Again.