Bayer Win 2–0 in Crete – But 33 Shots Should Produce More

Thirty-three shots, two goals. Apparently, Bayer 04 travelled all the way to Crete to discover that there is a considerable difference between dominating a football match and actually putting the ball in the net. Against an OFI Crete side that spent most of the evening simply trying to survive, our Werkself created enough chances for at least three matches and somehow turned what should have been a demolition job into a relatively modest 2–0 victory. Fortunately, Jonas Hofmann remembered what football is ultimately about. Two goals in three minutes, a third consecutive Europa League victory without conceding and now six competitive wins in a row. Not bad for a team that apparently still considers clinical finishing an optional extra.

The real twist of the evening came from a player who wasn't even supposed to feature in the Europa League this season. Jonas Hofmann, initially left out of the European squad and only registered following Martin Terrier's injury, became the decisive figure. In the 35th minute, he was exactly where an experienced attacking player needed to be when OFI goalkeeper Klidman Lilo spilled a shot from Afonso Moreira. Three minutes later, Hofmann added a superb strike from distance to make it 2–0. That effectively settled the contest. Sometimes football really does write the best stories.

I was particularly pleased for Hofmann. At 34, he has experienced plenty of ups and downs in Leverkusen and knows that playing time cannot be taken for granted. In an increasingly competitive squad, he could easily have faded into obscurity. Instead, he demonstrated the value of experience, intelligence and composure. His two goals did more than secure the victory. They also delivered a clear message to his coach: I'm still here, and I still have plenty to offer.

What impressed me just as much was how effortlessly the team coped with the changes to the starting eleven. Coach Carles Martínez made five alterations compared with the Freiburg match, including Janis Blaswich replacing Mark Flekken in goal. Yet our football never looked improvised. Bayer controlled possession, passed confidently and repeatedly found gaps in the Greeks' tightly organised defence. With 63 percent possession, a 92 percent passing accuracy and just six shots conceded, our superiority was undeniable. OFI goalkeeper Lilo certainly deserves credit for several excellent saves, but what mattered most to me was that even this reshuffled team displayed a clear and recognisable playing identity.

After the break, however, the match increasingly turned into a rather dull exercise in game management. With a two-goal advantage, Bayer shifted down several gears and seemed content to see out the result. Given the demanding fixture schedule, I can understand the approach. Hoffenheim are already waiting on Sunday, and there is little point in wasting energy unnecessarily. Nevertheless, our composure occasionally came dangerously close to complacency. OFI managed a few attempts of their own, and a single goal could quickly have turned a seemingly settled match into an uncomfortable affair. Against stronger opposition, we would be wise to avoid such lapses.

At least Blaswich had several opportunities to demonstrate his abilities on his Europa League debut. Making his first appearance in the competition at 35 and keeping a clean sheet is certainly a nice story. Three matches, three victories and not a single goal conceded: our European record speaks for itself. More importantly, it shows that Martínez can rotate even in key positions without compromising defensive stability.

In fact, the depth of our squad has become one of the most encouraging developments of recent weeks. This team no longer seems dependent on the same eleven players starting every match. Hofmann comes in and decides the game, Blaswich replaces Flekken and keeps a clean sheet, while others get their opportunities without disrupting the overall structure. After all the changes and uncertainties of recent months, that is anything but a given. It suggests that Martínez has built a functioning team in which even the supposed fringe players can make a meaningful contribution.

For all the excitement, though, we should keep things in perspective. OFI Crete may have surprisingly beaten Hoffenheim in their opening match, but they were hardly the kind of opposition against which we should measure our European title ambitions. The genuinely difficult challenges are still ahead. The Europa League has shown often enough how little an impressive league phase can mean when the decisive matches arrive. Nine points from three games provide an excellent foundation, but trophies are not handed out in October.

Next up are Hoffenheim, Nürnberg, Stuttgart and Marseille. Six consecutive victories give me plenty of reasons for optimism, but I know my Bayer: excitement is justified, overconfidence rarely ends well.